Birchwood C of E Primary School

At Birchwood C of E Primary and Nursery, our vision and values are at the core of everything we do.  They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens.  The teaching of music at our school is built upon our core gospel values of:

• Love
• Respect
• Friendship
• Trust
• Perseverance
• Hope

At Birchwood, we value music because it is a powerful and unique form of communication that can change and impact the way children feel, think and act. We believe that teaching music helps the body and the mind work together and can enhance all children to excel in other areas of their learning. Exposing children to music during early development helps them to learn the sounds and meanings of words. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to develop their musical potential and we aim to nurture and encourage musical development across the school.

At Birchwood we use The Charanga Musical School Scheme which is designed to inspire the future generations of musicians and provides teachers with week-by-week lesson support for each year group in the school.  Charanga provides a classroom-based, participatory and inclusive approach to music learning. Throughout the scheme, children are actively involved in using and developing their singing voices, using body percussion and whole body actions, and learning to handle and play classroom instruments effectively to create and express their own and others’ music. Through a range of whole class, group and individual activities, children have opportunities to sing, explore sounds, listen actively, compose and perform.

Music is an integral part of our Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, and we embed musicality within the teaching of nursery rhymes, songs, phonics activities and continuous provision. Reception children follow weekly teacher-led EYFS Charanga to support topics and themes, ensuring progression and preparation for KS1.

The music curriculum is further enriched by the use of Accent Music service through recorder lessons and Gospel music in Lower Key Stage 2. By enhancing the singing element of the curriculum children are able to participate in a live performance for their families. We also provide additional music lessons throughout school which are led by a team of music specialist.   

Children at Birchwood C of E Primary, have access to a varied programme, which allows pupils to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. Music lessons and the wider musical opportunities offered at Birchwood enrich children’s learning in ways such as: achievement, exercising creativity, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, communication, critical thinking and self-reflection.

Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to pupils individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children can sing, and understand and use a wide range of musical terms through regular lessons from a specialist music teacher. Children at Birchwood C of E are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose - either as listener, creator or performer. They bring pleasure to others in the school family and the wider community through performance, knowledge and enthusiasm.