Intent 

At Wycombe Church of England Combined School, the intention is that children will gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions and musical genres.  Through employing a music specialist teacher, we aim to challenge and stretch all children in their music skills regardless of their starting point or ability thereby giving all children a chance to enjoy and flourish in this subject. We aim to help children in understanding the value and importance of music in the wider community, and to ensure that they are able to use their musical skills, knowledge and experiences to involve themselves in music in a variety of different contexts. 

Implementation

Our music curriculum ensures that students listen, compose, sing, play, perform and evaluate.  Each class has a weekly music lesson with our music specialist teacher and come together as a whole school once a week for Hymn Practice. We also give the children lots of opportunities to perform in various assemblies, concerts, productions and Church Services throughout the school year.  

The elements of music are taught in our classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed.  In the classroom students learn how to play different instruments as they progress through the school, gaining knowledge of creating notes, as well as how to read basic music notation.  They also learn how to compose by focussing on different dimensions of music.  This feeds their understanding when listening to, playing, or analysing music.   

We offer a variety of extra-curricular music activities which the children are encouraged to get involved with including, choirs and various instrumental ensembles. Children can access individual and group instrument lessons from our skilled and enthusiastic peripatetic teachers. 

Impact 

Whilst at Wycombe Church of England Combined School children have access to a varied musical programme, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas that they might like to improve upon. Resilience is built as children try new things and work hard to grow and develop their skills.   

As even the youngest children are encouraged to perform to their peers in their music lessons, confidence is built and a culture of respect for children of all abilities is created. Children have the opportunity to discuss and share their own thoughts, opinions and ideas, acknowledging and respecting that these may vary and that this is positive.   Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to students individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world.   

Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose- either as listener, performer or creator.  They can dissect music and comprehend its parts, they can sing and feel a pulse, and they have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives.