Music @ Addington School

Overview

This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.

Curriculum Music

Intent

• To build knowledge and skills in music through sequential learning, memory retention and planning for progression.
• To give students the opportunity to have positive interactions with music, through breadth of experience.
• To nurture an enjoyment in music and through active participation, listening and observing.
• To explore use music as a vehicle to explore wider soft skills such as creativity, expression, collaboration, self-improvement, reflection, analysing and awareness of their own and others cultural identity.
• To develop their self esteem and self confidence as achievements and successes are shared and celebrated.
• To develop independence to satisfy and continue expanding musical engagement.
• To bring our community together in shared enjoyment and appreciation.
• To link with the wider community.
• To give students lasting memories of positive experiences.

Implementation

The music team work with all students in the school. Every student has a weekly class lesson with a music specialist teacher. These take place in the classroom, music room or sensory theatre as appropriate to the class.  They follow one of 3 schemes: Starters scheme, Main scheme or Sensory scheme.

Around a quarter of students have instrumental lessons with visiting peripatetic teachers from Berkshire Maestros, supported by Addington staff to deliver small steps of progression.

Our music therapists works with children throughout the school for a one year block. 

There are also many musical activities that take place throughout the week including Addington Band, lunchtime clubs and concerts like Special Superstar.

Music Lesson Curriculum Planning for Progression

• Schemes of work are designed to give progression, from simple participation and engagement through to more accurate instrumental playing and applying musical knowledge to activities.
• Arts Award Bronze and Silver currently in Key Stage 4 and 5 runs with all students and shows progress in their skills and attainment through their portfolios.
• Carefully planned small steps with peri teachers. 
• Opportunities for sharing work built into the school year.
• Arts Award is being introduced in Key Stage 2, beginning with Discover. The aim is to then progress to Explore award by year 9.

Impact

• Students engage with music and have the ability to continue to positively engage with music throughout adulthood.
• Students develop a wide knowledge of music and musical interaction at a level appropriate to them. This supports them to develop their musical identity as we encourage independence in sharing their preferences positively. They are able to use their knowledge to make choices.
• Students form positive long lasting memories of music at Addington and a life long enjoyment of music.
• Students have the opportunity to shine in music activities. They are celebrated as they share their skills. Students enjoy participating in activities and where possible extend their participation either as a performer or audience member through joining events outside of their weekly lesson. 
• They are able to be creative and use music as a form of communication and expression.
• Students with a particular musical talent (at the level in which they are working) are able to further explore their skills and knowledge and some may gain a qualification.
• Links with the wider community are formed.
• Through a wide and enriching music curriculum our school community is brought together to enjoy and participate in music.

Co-Curricular Music

Instrumental Lessons

 In partnership with Berkshire Music Trust, we offer many instrumental peripatetic lessons to our students. These include, Cello, Drums, Guitar, Brass and Violin. Lessons are taught one-to-one (20 minutes) or in small groups (2-3 students for 30 minutes). Around 15% of our students have instrumental lessons with visiting peripatetic teachers from Berkshire Music Trust, supported by Addington staff to deliver small steps of progression. For more information about lessons please contact the team m-ca@addington.wokingham.sch.uk or visit Berkshire Music Trust website www.berkshiremusictrust.org.uk

Music Therapy

 We also offer Music Therapy sessions in partnership with Key Changes. We have two music therapists working with students throughout the school for a one year block. For information about music therapy please visit www.keychanges.org.uk

Ensembles

We have many ensembles offered to students. These are taught outside music lessons in curriculum time, at lunchtimes and afterschool.

• Choirs (some choirs change during the year to prepare for different concerts)
  • EY Choir - Summer term learning songs to sing during our KS1 Singing Event with other local primary schools. This choir meets during curriculum time.
  • KS2 Choir - Learning songs for WASMA and/or Reading Junior Music Festival. This choir meets during curriculum time and at lunchtime.
  • School Choir - This choir meets at lunchtime and sometimes are working towards concerts/performances during the year (SingIN, Special Superstar, school/key stage production).
• Instrumental Ensembles
  • Addington Band - This is a free afterschool club for students who play an instrument. This ensemble is led by a Berkshire Music Trust teacher and supported by Addington staff. They perform twice a year, learning repertoire for each performance. 
  • Rock Band - Selected students invited who show a talent for their instrument. Students develop ensemble skills and refine their instrumental technique.
  • Rhythm Group - Learning samba rhythms, developing ensemble skills and learning to read rhythm notation.

Musical Experiences

These are the musical experiences planned for the next academic year.

• Festive Singing - December 2024 (TBC)
  • Shinfield View
  • Twyford Age Concern
  • National Grid
  • Peach Place
  • Woodley Precinct
  • The Birches
  • Shute End
• Addington Association Carol Concert - December 2024 (TBC)
• Addington Concert Series - Spring 2025
• Reading Junior Music Festival - March 2025
• Special Superstar - June 2025
• Proms Week - July 2025
• KS1 Singing Event - July 2025

These are musical experiences which do not take place every year and will return in the future.

• SingIN
• FestForAll (2024)
• Whole school production (Wizard of Oz - 2024)
• WASMA (2023)
• 6th Form Community Tour (2023)
• Rhythm Group Tour (2022)

In The Future

We regularly review our curriculum and musical experiences to make improvements for our everchanging cohort. We are reviewing our lunchtime club offer to include a broader range and to be as inclusive as possible.

If you would like more information you can contact the Creative Arts team via the school’s telephone number or by email at m-ca@addington.wokingham.sch.uk

Addington School are proud to an Artsmark Champion and hold a Artsmark Platinum Award.