Wimborne First School & Nursery

Music

Intent Statement:

At Wimborne Fist School, we value the importance of Music. Our Music curriculum intends to inspire creativity, self-expression and encourages our children on their musical journeys as well as giving them opportunities to connect with others. We aim to foster a lifelong love of music by exposing them to diverse musical experiences and igniting a passion for music. By listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voices as singers and performers and as composers, all will enable them to become confident, reflective musicians. We encourage children to participate in a variety of musical experiences through which to develop a love of music and develop their talent as musicians, and in turn increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. We focus on gaining the children’s ability to perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians. They will learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence. Understanding and exploring how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions, is the basis of our curriculum, and ensuring that these are progressive and continually recapped allows the children to build upon their knowledge and reflect on their understanding.

The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in classroom activities as well as weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances, the learning of instruments, and the joining of musical ensembles. The elements of music are taught in classrooms, with vocabulary as a key component, so that children are able to use the language of music to discuss it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. In the classroom, students learn how to play various un-tuned and tuned percussion instruments and individual classes have the opportunity to learn specific instruments.  Year 3 complete a 10-week Samba programme with the Dorset Music Service. In doing so, they understand the different principles of creating notes, as well as how to devise and read their own musical scores and basic music notation. They also learn how to compose focussing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music.

Rock Steady

Rocksteady in-school band lessons give our children the perfect opportunity to learn new skills, develop friendships and have a great time! Rocksteady has also shown to boost children’s confidence, well-being and even academic achievement. The lessons are held during the school day, all instruments are provided and it is totally inclusive and accessible for all. The children can choose from drums, vocals, keyboard or electric guitar. They join their band for a weekly 30-minute lesson learning some of their favourite songs and developing new musical skills along the way. The children then get the chance to perform in a Rocksteady concert at the end of each term showing their friends and family just how far they have come. 

WFS Choir

Our school choir consists of around 40 children from Years 3 and 4 who commit to a weekly rehearsal and choir practice on a Wednesday lunchtime. The choir perform at lots of school events and also at local community events. The children show a real passion for singing and performing and are keen to develop new singing skills and work together as a choir community.