Music
At Redlands, we use the Charanga scheme to teach music from EYFS to Y6. Each Unit of Work comprises the of strands of musical learning which correspond with the national curriculum for music: Listening & Appraising, Musical Activities - warm-up games, singing, playing instruments, improvisation, composition and performing.
In order to supplement the Charanga curriculum, we also ensure that pupils learn about a number of significant pieces of music during their time at Redlands. Pupils are immersed in some of these pieces of music as they enter and leave assembly.
We are currently reviewing the Charanga curriculum in light of the DfE's Model Music Curriculum and the recent OFsted Research Review into Music. This will be introduced in Autumn Term 2023 for EYFS and KS1. The new curriculum for KS2 will be introduced in Spring term 2024. This will be published in full on this website in due course.
| Year 6 | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Theme | Being happy! | Jazz, improvisation and composition | Benjamin Britten’s music and cover versions | 70s Ballard/Pop | The history of music, look back and consolidate. Language of music | |
| Title | Happy | Classroom Jazz 2 | A New Year Carol | You’ve Got a Friend | Music and Me | Reflect, Rewind & Replay |
| Style of main song | Pop/ Neo Soul | Bacharach and Blues | Classical and Urban Gospel | 70s Ballard and Pop | Create your own music inspired by your own own identity and women in music industry | Classical |
| Year 5 | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Theme | Rock Anthems | Jazz and Improvisation | Pop Ballards | Old-school Hip-Hop | Motown | The history of music, look back and consolidate. Language of music |
| Title | Living on a Prayer | Classroom Jazz 1 | Make You Feel My Love | The Fresh prince of Bel-Air | Dancing in the Street | Reflect, Rewind & Replay |
| Style of main song | Rock | Bossa Nova and Swing | Pop Ballards | Old-school Hip-Hop | Motown | Classical |
| Year 4 | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Theme | ABBA’s music | Exploring and developing playing skills using the glockenspiel | Writing lyrics linked to a theme | Soul/Gospel music and helping one another | The Beatles, equality and civil rights | The history of music, look back and consolidate. Language of music |
| Title | Mamma Mia | Glockenspiel 2 | Stop! | Lean On Me | Blackbird | Reflect, Rewind & Replay |
| Style of main song | Pop | Mixed styles | Grime | Gospel | The Beatles/Pop | Classical |
| Year 3 | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Theme | RnB and other styles | Exploring & developing playing skills | Reggae and animals | Music from around the world, celebrating our differendes and being kind to one another | Disco, friendship, hope and unity | The history of music, look back and consolidate. Language of music |
| Title | Let Your Spirit Fly |
Glockenspiel Stage 1 |
Three Little Birds | The Dragon Song | Bringing Us Together | Reflect, Rewind & Replay |
| Style of main song | RnB | N/A | Reggae | A Pop song that tells a story | Disco | Classical |
| Year 2 | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Theme | South African music | Festivals and Christmas | Playing together in a band | Reggae and animals | A song about being friends | The history of music, look back and consolidate. Language of music |
| Title | Hands, Feet, Heart | Ho, Ho, Ho | I want to play in a band | Zootime | Friendship Song | Reflect, Rewind & Replay |
| Style of main song | Afropop, South African | A song with rapping and improvising for Christmas | Playing together in a band | Reggae and animals | A song about being friends | Classical |
| Year 1 | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Theme | How pulse, rhythm and pitch work together | Pulse, rhythm and pitch, rapping, dancing and singing. | How to be in the groove with different styles of music. | Pulse, rhythm and pitch in different styles of music. | Using your imagination |
The history of music, look back and consolidate. Language of music. |
| Title | Hey You | Rhythm in the Way We Walk and The Banana Rap | In the Groove | Round and Round | You Imagination | Reflect, Rewind & Replay |
| Style of main song | Old School Hip-Hop | Reggae | Blues, Baroque, latin, Bhangra, Folk, Funk | Bossa Nova | Pop | Classical |
| EYFS | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Theme | Refer to EYFS Planning | |||||
| Title | Me | My Stories | Everyone! | Our World | Big Bear Funk | Reflect, Rewind & Replay |
Music at Redlands Primary School
At Redlands Primary School, we are committed to providing a rich and engaging music education for all our pupils. With the support of Berkshire Music Hub and our dedicated staff, we aim to inspire a love for music and create opportunities for all children to develop their musical talents.
Redlands has been working with Berkshire Music Hub to create a music development plan.
Here is a summarised version:
Leadership and Staff Development
We are proud to be working closely with the Berkshire Music Hub to enhance our music teaching across the school. Highlights include:
- Staff CPD: Training sessions delivered by Berkshire Music Hub to equip our staff with fresh, creative ideas for the classroom.
- Collaborative Observations: Music leads are working together to embed new practices and coach staff effectively.
- Networking Opportunities: Our music lead is connecting with other music leaders in the local area to share good practices and strengthen partnerships.
Curriculum Highlights
Our music curriculum is designed to be inclusive, progressive, and enjoyable for all. Key elements include:
- Charanga Programme: A structured, progressive music scheme used across the school to teach all areas of music.
- Singing Assemblies: Weekly sessions focusing on singing games, clapping exercises, and introducing calming music to support transitions and handwriting.
- Progression in Learning: Developing students’ skills from chime bars in younger years to recorders in Year 5 and Year 6, showcasing melodic progression.
- Inclusivity: Staff supporting children with SEND are involved in CPD sessions to ensure music lessons are accessible to all.
Extra-Curricular Music and Performances
We value the joy and confidence that music performances bring to our pupils. Key activities include:
- Annual Performances: Year 6 participate in productions at the Hexagon Theatre and the O2 Arena.
- Singing in the Playground: All KS2 pupils enjoy singing together as part of their outdoor activities.
- International Evening: Pupils recently performed a variety of songs and musical pieces to celebrate our school’s diversity.
- Instrumental Opportunities: We are introducing assemblies and taster sessions to promote woodwind lessons and group learning.
- Steel Pan Project: Plans are underway to bring a steel pan music project to Year 5 pupils, with the aim of making it a regular feature in the music curriculum.
Community Partnerships
We believe in sharing our love for music with the wider community:
- Care Home Visits: Our school choir will visit local care homes to perform for residents, spreading joy through music.
- Universal Choir Collaboration: We are exploring opportunities to connect with Reading's Universal Choir, encouraging wider participation in music beyond school.
Looking Ahead
Our ongoing goals include:
- Embedding recorder lessons for Year 5 and Year 6 to strengthen music progression.
- Incorporating repertoire from large performances, like the Hexagon and O2 concerts, into our singing assemblies.
- Providing more opportunities for instrumental teaching and exploring new creative projects for our pupils.
At Redlands Primary School, we are passionate about ensuring every child has the chance to enjoy, explore, and excel in music. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact our music lead, Ally Boothright.