Curriculum Intent

The curriculum at James Bateman is rich in knowledge.

James Bateman Middle School provides opportunities for all our pupils through our curriculum and wider educational opportunities. Our intent is to ensure that all pupils make outstanding progress and that our curriculum will remove any barriers that may affect their learning.

Subject-specifically, the curriculum is built around a progression model that ensures pupils incrementally gain deep knowledge and skills that are fundamental to each subject. Purposeful assessment is integral to the curriculum to ensure knowledge is fully embedded and highlights areas for development.

Throughout the curriculum there is a strong emphasis on developing;

• a ‘love of learning’.
• readiness, resilience and respectfulness: the skills required to be a productive member a diverse 21st century society
• an understanding of ‘British Values’ and the implications for life in modern day Britain.
• pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural learning.
• independence and enabling pupils to become creative, critical thinkers.
• an understanding of the importance, through the careers programme, of the opportunities available to pupils once they leave school.

At the heart of the school is the focus on broadening pupils’ cultural horizons to ensure they are able to continue to the next stage of their educational journey.

Implementation

Students will study a range of musical genres, styles and traditions developing and increasing their musical skills through the years. High quality teaching by teachers with a strong subject knowledge ensures that lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all ages and abilities and guidance ensures that lessons are accessed by all. All elements of music are taught across KS2 and KS3, allowing students the opportunity to perform, listen and critique music, compose music and learn about the history of music.

The curriculum is supported by a range of musical extras such as ukulele club, singing assemblies and the young voices choir in preparation for the young voice’s performance in Manchester. Children learn to play a range of instruments including; African drums, Ukuleles, percussion, glockenspiels, boom whackers and keyboards. Music has strong links across the curriculum to support students learning in lessons.

Teachers promote music as part of their wider life and promote out of school activities such orchestras and theatre visits, which students have the opportunity to experience during the KS3 London residentials and community carol singing. The music department provides opportunities for all students to achieve regardless of ability.

Impact

Ready, resilient, respectful

Musical skills are built on year to year, developing their skills and knowledge of the subject in KS2, where the children access music confidently, and have the ability to read and follow a simple musical or graphical score.In each year students will compose and perform as a class, in groups, solos and ensembles each time developing their confidence.

Evidence of knowledge

Assessment in music is in the form of end of unit teacher and peer assessment of performances and compositions. Evidence is also collected through ongoing monitoring of student progress of their musical skills and ability.

Student Voice

Students will demonstrate a positive attitude towards music and they will articulate their understanding of key musical elements and learning during review and retrieval.

Throughout all of this the student’s enjoyment of music is a key element, running alongside the ‘taught’ musical skills.

Click here to view the Autumn 1 term Knowledge Organisers

Click here to view the Music Progression Map