Intent:

The objectives of music teaching at Argyle are:

• Children use their voices to sing, express themselves, create and compose music.
• Children are given the opportunity to perform, listen to, review and evaluate their own and others' music across a range of time periods, genres and styles.
• Children learn to read and explore notation and understand musical terms
• Children have the opportunity to learn an instrument and use instruments to create and compose music.
• Children develop an understanding of how music technology is used in creating and recording music.

At Argyle, music is an important and integral part of children's education, and we are proud of all the opportunities on offer for young musicians. Children enjoy a weekly singing assembly and weekly music lessons that are taught by our music lead and specialist teacher, Ms Annette Pryce. Our scheme of work is not only in line with the National Curriculum, but we also aim to add a rich and wide variety of musical experiences to children’s lives. During their time at Argyle Primary, children will gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating and composing across a wide variety of styles and genres. Children are encouraged to develop a curiosity for the subject, to form their own opinions and tastes, as they are exposed to a variety of enriching musical experiences.

Implementation:

Music lessons are delivered by a specialist music teacher, through a well-structured music curriculum, ensuring progression of skills and knowledge across the school (see map below). Notation reading and writing is embedded in the music curriculum from nursery age through to Year 6. Children use both graphic and stave notation during music lessons.

Every pupil in Years 4 and 5 has the fantastic opportunity to learn an instrument as part of our Whole Class Ensemble Teaching project. Children learn either the violin/recorder in small groups during weekly lessons. These lessons are delivered by highly skilled Camden Music tutors, and we provide instruments for children to take home to practise on. The aim of the program is to give all pupils a taste of the enjoyment, skill, focus and satisfaction that comes from learning an instrument and playing in a group. Some students have the opportunity to perform at the Camden Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, some go on to join other groups like the Somers Town Sinfonia or Camjam.

Children can choose to further their skills by signing up for peripatetic instrumental lessons in flute, recorder, violin or keyboard. These are also delivered by Camden tutors but in smaller groups or individual lessons. This gives children the opportunity to take their playing to the next level and enjoy a more individual approach to their music education. To ensure that all pupils can access peripatetic lessons, the school offers a number of grants to pupils who show talent and interest but are unable to pay for lessons.

We have well established partnerships with organisations including Camden Music Service, The Aurora Orchestra, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Royal Academy of Music. Through these partnerships, children are able to participate in a breadth of musical experience. For example, The Royal Academy of Music composition workshops and performances, EYFS singing along in annual concerts with the Aurora Orchestra, Year 2 participating in the Camden Cluster Festival etc.

The Argyle choir is run by our head of music and is a vibrant choir full of talent and enthusiasm. The choir always participates in the Camden Music Festival. On alternate years, this festival takes place in the Royal Albert Hall. At the 2023 festival, the Argyle choir performed a Bangla dance on stage, in addition to singing in the 2000 strong massed choir. It was a musical spectacular and an experience that our choir members will always remember. When the choir is not rehearsing for a festival, they learn challenging songs that they share with the school and parents during assemblies. The choir also takes a leading role during singing assemblies, singing harmonies to the whole school songs.

All children experience a wide range of performance opportunities through our annual instrumental concerts, Cluster Festivals, Nativity, Year 6 production, EYFS and KS1 Summer Singing Extravaganza and May Day celebrations. Argyle is the only Camden school to host a whole school May Day Festival. On May the 1^st, children, staff and parents gather for a festival of dance and song. Every year group performs a dance and Year 4 has the honour of performing the Maypole Dance. This is a highlight of the Argyle calendar as we welcome summer with a song, a hop and a skip.

Impact:

At Argyle Primary School the essence of our curriculum is curiosity and our aim is that children will leave us being curious and inspired by music. Every child goes to secondary school able to play at least one melodic instrument. We want children to have a wide range of musical experiences, to have opportunities to develop their self-confidence through learning new skills or performing in front of others. In finding out about a wide variety of music, children learn about other cultures as well as different tastes in music. This helps develop children's understanding of the wider world and tolerance. We hope that by having an opportunity to explore music at school, children may develop an aptitude, joy and interest which they take with them beyond their primary education. When starting secondary school, children are already equipped with notation reading skills, and can take that knowledge and confidence into their adult lives.