Music
As stated in the national curriculum programme of study, music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase 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.
The national curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
- 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
- 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
- understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
At St Leonard’s, we use the International Primary Curriculum to support the teaching and learning of Music. We aim to cultivate a real enjoyment of music and aim to deliver high quality music teaching, supporting and encouraging all children to achieve their full potential.
Through Music, we also aim to foster a love and understanding of music through active involvement in listening, appraising, composing and performing; enable children’s personal expression, reflection and emotional development through music making, both individually and together; and promote the understanding and appreciation of the richness and diversity of world cultures, styles, times and periods.
St Leonard's has a proud tradition of learning and performing music. From singing to the instrumental tuition we offer, the outdoor musical instruments in the playground and our school song, there are regular opportunities for performing and listening to music.
Thanks to an ongoing partnership with the Lambeth Music Service, our Year 3 classes practise percussion instruments as an ensemble. Our year 4 classes have free tuition in the violin or cello and form a string orchestra which plays throughout the year. Our year 5 class has the opportunity to explore and play brass instruments through paid lessons. The potential of several pupils has been recognised in them being awarded Mayor of London scholarships to continue learning their instrument.
We also have a partnership with Voices Foundation which is focused on developing the quality of singing throughout the school with the additional aim of helping children to flourish socially and emotionally as well as practically.
A musical production in partnership with parents and live musicians takes place each year.