Music Curriculum Support

Peter Walker: Primary/Special Schools Music Curriculum Coordinator peter.walker@brighton-hove.gov.uk

We offer a wide range of support to primary and special schools to assist teachers in raising standards in music. This is mainly through:

• Advice
• Lesson observations and demonstrations
• Class, year group and whole school workshops
• Teaching materials
• Support in creating and updating schemes of work and self assessment
• Courses for teachers

Most recently we have developed a computer based music scheme with detailed lesson ideas for reception up to year six which is ideally suited to the new interactive whiteboards.

The classroom music support we undertake in our schools underpinned by national developments:

• Music is now widely seen as a vital part of every child’s education.
• The National Curriculum and QCA music scheme are now well established as vital tools in the drive to raise standards.
• The publication of the Music Manifesto and the introduction of Wider Opportunities programmes have pushed the debate forward and are having a profound effect on the profile and practice of music education.
• Click here for the Music Manifesto website
• We are a Sing Up! Awards advocate http://www.singup.org/

The Music Manifesto

All primary and special school teachers are able to contact our primary music curriculum coordinator directly for a range of support:

• Advice on schemes of work and lesson planning
• School based workshops, demonstrations and observation
• Materials especially written for our local schools
• Getaround Music on two CD Roms
• Annual Year Two Music Workshops
• Twilight Teachers Courses

Discovery Recital Programme

The aim of the Discovery Recital programme is to offer children the opportunity to experience the enjoyment of hearing ‘live’ music whilst developing greater understanding of the nature of music. Our Discovery Recital programme offers infant, junior, primary and special schools the opportunity to book a 40 minute instrumental recital aimed at either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2. Each recital is focussed on supporting the National Curriculum for music and addresses areas such as listening and responding.

Music Curriculum Support in Secondary Schools

We are looking to ensure we engage pupils actively in their learning to encourage participation in a wide range of activities, focusing specifically on:

• Raising pupil attainment
• Closing attainment gaps
• Improving the quality of teaching and learning
• Improving the effectiveness of whole-school policy and management
• Challenging low attainment and under performance

Joint working between BHMAS and the secondary strategy has promoted collaborative work between schools through networking and the annual conference, where we look to address specific aspects of the curriculum such as Assessment for Learning in Music, use of ICT, improving teaching of singing amongst other key areas.

In recent years a group of schools have piloted the use of Esaams, a software package for supporting assessment for learning in performing arts. We also provide support to schools through the development and delivery of projects and workshops and collaborations with professional musicians and music organisations. Other recent projects include Connecting: Brighton & Hove, Rhythmix and New Music Brighton/London Sinfonietta composition workshops.