Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. The high-quality music education offered at St George’s engages and inspires pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians. It increases their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon. Pupils at the school, in addition to their class music will have the opportunity to learn any instrument through the Lancashire Music Service. In Year 4 the music teaching is based around learning the ukulele! After the whole class music lessons children can then continue their learning, free of charge, in an after school club, available until they leave St George's. In this club children can study for their Grade 1 and Grade 2 in Ukulele. 

Charanga

In each unit, children are asked a question, intended as an entry point for exploring one of six broad Social Themes. These six themes are overlapping. The exploration of each theme accompanies them on their musical journey throughout this Scheme, and hopefully beyond! As the learners grow, the questions and entry points for the Social Themes evolve. All the while, they are encouraged to be responsible and kind citizens of the world and constructive but critical thinkers. The unit question can be discussed throughout each unit up to and including the final unit performance. Musically, students are constantly touching upon all key musical elements and skills, building upon these as they progress through each lesson, unit and year. As well as this, there is also a Musical Spotlight to each unit. This by no means indicates that there is only one musical aspect or concept being considered and developed – it just allows one chosen musical element, aspect or skill to come to the fore for contemplation, discussion and development, for the duration of that unit.

Lessons and Learning in a Spiral Curriculum

As lessons progress through the units and year groups, the key learning is repeated, musical skills are reinforced and the learning deepens. Children quickly become familiar with the musical activities, through which they acquire new, or reinforce previous, musical knowledge and understanding. To support intense and rapid learning, the musical activities are designed in one of two ways: 1. The activities can be a repeat of the previous week, in order to embed and rehearse key musical skills. 2. The activities can be a repeat of previous musical skills but have different content, in order to strengthen and apply previous musical learning. As the children move through the Scheme, they acquire new knowledge and skills and deepen their understanding and application of previous learning. This spiral approach leads to deeper, more secure learning and musical mastery.