MUSIC AT ST RICHARD'S

Music Mark

Fantastic news... in October 2022 we were nominated by the Richmond Music Trust to be a Music Mark School

Richmond Music Trust said...

"Your dedication to offering and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum is both welcomed and celebrated."

St Richard’s has a noble history of music at the school, dating back to the 1970’s when the choir shared a stage with Cilla Black and Sir Harry Secombe and appeared on BBC’s Pebble Mill and performed at the Royal Albert Hall.  More recently, the choir performed at the O2 arena, the Albert Hall and sang as part of Marks & Spencer’s birthday celebration.  Every year, without fail, the choir take part in the switching on of the Christmas lights in Richmond which is a hugely enjoyable event.  The children very much enjoy performing and music plays a large part in our school life. 

OUR 3I PLAN FOR MUSIC

Please see below for our Intent, Implementation and Impact overview for Music

OUR INTENT 

The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music
• Be taught to sing, create and compose music
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity binding all cultures and beliefs. At St Richard’s CE Primary School music education inspires and engages children to foster a love of the subject, raising self-confidence, developing individual talents and nurturing a sense of achievement. We believe that music in an integral part of a child’s development at all levels and abilities aiming to inspire their imaginations.  St Richard’s is a ‘singing school’ where children of all backgrounds and abilities are included and encouraged to perform in a variety of locations including at our own Christmas nativities, local festivals and the O2 Arena.  Music at St Richard’s covers a range of musical skills within all year groups exploring the various musical elements including pulse, rhythm and pitch. Pupils will have the opportunity to learn at least one musical instrument and perform in a variety of settings. Music has no boundaries and is inclusive and accessible for all. We believe music can supports positive mental health, provide a platform for expressing emotions and brings our community together.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MUSIC CURRICULUM

Our music curriculum ensures pupils develop a critical engagement with music providing opportunities to sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate, guaranteeing progression across the year groups. This is embedded in classroom activities as well as whole school weekly singing assemblies, celebrations, various concerts and choir ensemble performances. The elements of music are taught in classroom lessons using the Charanga scheme of work in years R-6 and following the foundation curriculum in the Nursery, to ensure a wide exposure to different genres of music, with lots of practical opportunities to explore and develop as musicians and singers.

We believe all children should have the opportunity to learn an instrument. In year 2 the children learn to play the recorder, in year 3 the glockenspiel and in year 4 children have the opportunity to learn the guitar in weekly whole class sessions with two instrumental specialists from the Richmond Music Trust. Follow on group or individual music lessons are also available to pupils to continue to develop their skills and ability on a musical instrument the term after the sessions. Pupils also have the chance to learn an instrument privately in individual or small groups with the Richmond Music trust from year 1. Opportunities are taken to perform in class, in whole assemblies and also to parents and the wider community.

Performances at St Richard’s form an essential part of our academic calendar providing children with a range of experiences. We proudly continue the well-loved tradition of all children performing in a nativity at Christmas with Nursery to Year 1 in one production and Year 2 to Year 6 in the second. As well as these intimate whole school occasions, additional opportunities include KS2 children performing locally in venues such as old people’s homes, the Rose theatre, the Richmond Christmas lights switch on and Summer Paddle board event to much larger scale events including singing at the Young Voices concert at the O2 and partaking in the Prom Praise for schools at the Royal Albert Hall.

IMPACT OF THE MUSIC CURRICULUM 

Through a child’s learning journey at St Richard’s, their musical skills and understanding are built on year on year. The curriculum allows pupils to discover areas of strengths as well as areas they might like to improve, including the opportunity to foster their instrumental flare and use this as a form of expression. The integral nature of music creates an enormously rich palette which pupils may access fundamental abilities such as achievement, self-confidence and self-reflection. Most children will achieve age related expectations in music at the end of their cohort year. Music assessment is ongoing to inform teachers with their planning, lesson activities and differentiation. Summative assessment is completed at the end of each Charanga unit. Music is monitored by the subject leader throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies including pupil voice, lesson observations and staff discussions. Feedback is given to staff and reviewed yearly.

Music at St Richard's 

At St Richard's our Early Years classes use the Jolly Music Resources. From Year 1 to Year 4 teachers plan following the Kapow Music scheme. In year 5 and Year we employ a specialist music teacher from Christ's secondary school to teach the curriculum. Music is taught on a weekly basis. 

CHOIR

Many of our children choose to audition for a place in our highly prized Junior Choir, and go on to represent us at a huge variety of events including open days, school fairs, the Ham Fair, Ham House and many other local community functions. We also attend the annual borough singing festival and collaborate with other local schools performing on stage at the Rose Theatre in Kingston.

RECORDER LESSONS

All our children get an opportunity to learn how to play the recorder in Key Stage One. These lessons give the children a personal experience of learning an instrument and making music together. Staff also have the opportunity to observe and highlight children with particular musical talent.

PIANO, VIOLIN & GUITAR LESSONS

Piano, Violin and classical guitar lessons are extremely popular. Lessons are taught during the school day either individually, as a pair or as a group. At present all our Year 4 children learn the guitar during the Spring Term.  Some of the children then choose to continue to learn privately.

PRIVATE MUSIC TUITION

Richmond Music Trust delivers a range of high quality musical experiences including providing private music lessons which are available during school hours for children in Year 2 and upwards. Please apply directly to http://www.richmondmusictrust.org.uk/applynow

There is a remission scheme (70% off fees) for those in need.  Anyone who has Free School Meals is eligible (and other benefits also qualify) details can be found at http://www.richmondmusictrust.org.uk/feesremissionscheme