MUSIC POLICY STATEMENT
The Chiltern School
PHILOSOPHY
Music can enhance the communication of our pupils and can help change the way pupils feel,
think, and act. It includes both intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and
emotional development. Music encompasses cultural and multicultural experiences and selfexpression.
Music education involves the whole child, using melody, rhythm, speech and vocalisations if
appropriate, and movement. It has close links with other subjects and provides a foundation for
achievement in other areas of the curriculum through the development of auditory awareness and
discrimination, improved motor skills experience of collaborative learning situations, fluency in
speech as appropriate, improved self confidence, and sense of imagination. Creative work in
music develops the skills of decision making and selection. The sharing in the creative processes
of their friends can teach children sensitivity and respect.
Listening to, and playing music, is generally non-confrontational and can present some students
with the opportunity to overcome some of the barriers they face in many other situations.
Expressing enjoyment at ones own success or at a certain piece of music is a right we should
never take for granted and one which we should endeavor to give all our students.
Music can promote the pupil’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It can develop
skills in communication, number, and information technology.
We believe that Music should be interesting, meaningful, and enjoyable for pupils, thus enabling
them to develop knowledge, skills and appreciation of music in its widest sense.
We believe that pupils of this school should have access to Music through the National
Curriculum. The school uses the GIFTS Music scheme in order to achieve this.
Listening to, and playing music, is generally non-confrontational and can present some students
with the opportunity to overcome some of the barriers they face in many other situations.
Expressing enjoyment at ones own success or at a certain piece of music is a right we should
never take for granted and on which we should endeavor to give all our students.
STATEMENTS OF PURPOSE
As appropriate to their individual abilities and level of understanding.
We aim:
1. Encourage cooperation, tolerance and a willingness to work with others.
2. Produce sounds and develop expressive means of communication.
3. Improve listening, concentration and attention skills.
4. Practice turn-taking.
5. Listening and responding to a wide variety of contrasting music.
Aims for Secondary Students
1. To use music as an integral part of the students programmes.
2. To present students with opportunities to explore, share and perform with each other, both
with instruments, voices and natural sounds.
3. To teach and allow the students opportunities to discover the pleasure and importance of
listening to recorded, live and their own music making.
4. To help the students realise the possibilities of music as a vehicle for communication, and
expressing ideas, feelings and preferences.
5. To use music to enhance the multi-cultural aspects of our school and wider community.
6. To give the students the opportunities to explore skills as set out in the National Curriculum:
Performing
Comparing
Listening
Responding
Implementation
 Music is taught and experienced both individually and in groups.
 The students may have access to Music Therapy, if this is required.
Teaching and Learning
 The students will have access to a combination of Music modules the Key Stage 3 National
Curriculum recommended list, and the GIFTS schemes of work. These will be studied on a
half termly or termly basis.
 Most lessons will last 30-45 minutes and take place in the students classrooms and will
usually have a mix of opportunities for listening, practical exploration, performance, the
understanding of music terminology and self assessment.
 Additional forms of support will include those of signing, symbols and pictures as an aid to
communication.
 Staff will ensure that the students have access to the relevant Information Technology
equipment during the delivery of Music.
 SoundSmiths work with pupils on the Primary site to enhance their learning and
appreciation of music in relation to the curriculum.
 Music Therapy will be experienced on a 1:1 basis with the County Music Therapist.
Resources
 A wide selection of songbooks and taped music from many countries, faiths and festivals is
available for music lessons, assemblies, dance etc. and to enhance other Curriculum areas,
e.g. geography.
 Module folders and other resources will be based in a central resource area and are the
responsibility of the Music curriculum Leader.
 Inventories and module resources and instruments will be reviewed regularly by the Music
Curriculum, Leader.
Management
 The Music Curriculum Leader is responsible for ensuring that the modules are written and
can be delivered whether or not other staff have a Music background. Continuing support
and training may be part of this role.
 The Music Curriculum Leader to lead planning sessions where staff can pool ideas.
 The Music Therapist to use a range of school instruments during Music therapy lessons.
 The Music Curriculum Leader to arrange musical demonstrations, using musicians for
Bedfordshire Music Services and other organisations.
Date of Policy
Original Policy:
Reviewed by Governors:
Date approved by Governors: 7th December 2016
Date of review: 7th December 2019