Music

Music Leader: Mrs Guest (Holme School)

Music

Intent

At Hinchliffe Mill Junior & Infant School, our music curriculum is crafted to inspire a deep and lasting love of music in every child, reflecting our core values: be honest, communicate clearly, be respectful, have confidence, embrace responsibility, support one another, and show resilience. We believe music is a vital part of a well-rounded education, offering students a unique avenue to express themselves, build confidence, and foster a strong sense of community and collaboration.

Our intent is to provide a comprehensive and inclusive music curriculum that reflects our commitment to:

• Fostering Creativity: Encouraging children to explore and innovate through musical expression.
• Building Community: Connecting our school with the wider community through music, celebrating pupils' achievements and sharing their talents.
• Promoting Diversity: Introducing students to a wide variety of musical genres and cultures, enriching their understanding and respect for the world.
• Developing Confidence: Offering frequent performance opportunities to help pupils build self-assurance and stage presence.
• Encouraging Responsibility: Teaching students to take ownership of their musical learning and contributions, recognising their role in group performances and collaborative projects.
• Ensuring Enjoyment: Making music engaging, enjoyable, and accessible to all pupils, fostering a lifelong love of music.

Implementation

Our music curriculum is delivered through carefully structured strands that ensure a well-rounded musical education, supported by opportunities to exhibit work and collaborate with community musicians.

• Singing: Pupils regularly engage in singing activities to develop their vocal skills and confidence while fostering clear communication and expression.

• Listening and Appraising: Students analyse a diverse range of music, honing their critical listening skills and deepening their appreciation for various musical styles and traditions.

• Music Theory, Rhythm, and Notation: Children are taught the fundamentals of music theory, including rhythm, pitch, and notation, equipping them with the tools to understand and create music.

• Composing: Pupils explore composition using traditional instruments and digital tools such as Purple Mash (2Beat and 2Sequence) and Garage Band, encouraging resilience and innovation.

• Playing an Instrument: Every year group learns to play a variety of pitched and non-pitched instruments, developing practical skills, teamwork, and confidence in music-making:

  • EYFS: Children explore a variety of instruments through play, composing with non-pitched percussion instruments such as drums.
  • Year 1/2: A variety of pitched and non-pitched instruments, including ocarina, recorder, and glockenspiel.
  • Year 3/4: Violin.
  • Year 5/6: Ukulele.

• Performing: Pupils participate in regular performances, both within school and in the wider community, showcasing their skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. These events include concerts, assemblies, and collaborative projects with local musicians.

We enrich our curriculum by inviting community musicians and artists into school to inspire pupils and work alongside them, offering real-world insights and fostering connections with the local arts scene.

Impact

The impact of our music curriculum is evident in the enthusiasm, resilience, and confidence our pupils display when engaging with music. Pupils leave Hinchliffe Mill with:

• A deep understanding and appreciation of music, developed through a broad and balanced curriculum.
• Confidence and experience in performing in a variety of settings, from small group performances to large community events.
• A rich awareness of the diversity of music from different cultures and genres, fostering respect and inclusivity.
• The skills to continue their musical journey, whether through further study, performance, or personal enjoyment.
• The ability to collaborate effectively and support one another during group performances and creative projects.
• A sense of pride in their contributions to school and community musical events, recognising the value of sharing their talents.

Our music programme not only nurtures pupils’ musical abilities but also develops their personal qualities, including confidence, responsibility, and resilience. Music at Hinchliffe Mill is more than just a subject—it is a key part of our school’s supportive, inclusive, and vibrant culture.

Progression Documents

Singing Assemblies

Musica Kirklees Whole Class Ensemble Lessons

Our wonderful children in Oak Class (Year 3 & 4) are taught violin for half a year by Mrs Kelly. They learn how to hold and look after a violin properly, open string notes, bowing, pizzicato and notation. 

In February, Rowan Class (Year 5 & 6) will be taught ukulele. 

Our School Performances

Every year, children take part in a production at Christmas or during the summer. This develops their confidence in singing and performing. 

St. David's Church

Being so close to St. David's Church and Parish Hall means we can perform there too! This Christmas, we joined forces with Holme School and sang carols at the Holmbridge Rural Fair. We also held our very own carol concert for our school community in the last week of term, where some children performed solos on flute, cornet and piano. 

Young Voices

Every week, all children in school take part in a singing assembly, where they listen and appraise a range of music from a wide variety of genres, learn songs associated with the topics of the curriculum they are studying, as well as seasonal songs. 

Our Year 6 choir will be performing at Sheffield Utilita Arena in January with the largest school choir worldwide 'Young Voices'. This is an incredible event. The children have been working hard to learn songs by Bob Marley, from Hairspray the Musical and from different parts of the world.