implementation

At Handsworth, we base our learning of music on the Charanga Music scheme. This uses an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning.  Whenever possible live music is used to enhance the lesson, this takes many forms, from children performing on school instruments to children who are learning instruments outside of school and includes professional musicians from orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra.    

We value the experiences children bring to their musical learning and seek to enrich what they know by providing a rich variety of live music experiences throughout their time at Handsworth. This ranges from individual instrument lessons to year group trips to concert halls to listen to world-renowned orchestras and workshops by professional musicians.                                                                                                                                                                
Charanga units follow the structure outlined below:

Reception Unit Structure
1. Listen and Respond
2. Explore and Create - initially using voices only, but building to using classroom instruments too 
3. Singing - nursery rhymes and action songs - building to singing and playing
4. Share and Perform

 

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Unit Structure
1. Listen and Appraise 
2. Musical Activities - learn and/or build on your knowledge and understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music through 
a. Games (Warm-up Games and Flexible Games) 
b. Singing 
c. Playing Instruments (classroom and or band instruments) 
d. Improvisation 
e. Composition 

3. Perform and Share 

 

This is done through a weekly 45-minute Music lesson which is taught in KS2 by Ms Kenley, In KS1 by Mrs Leftwich and Miss Davey and in the Early Years, Music is taught by the class teachers.