Music

Miss A Fielden Music Leader

Music at Birchwood Junior School

At Birchwood Junior School, we value and place a high emphasis on the teaching of the Arts. Music, in particular, holds a special place within our curriculum and school life.

As the National Curriculum states, “Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.” (2021)

Our Vision

It is our intention that every child will be a musician by the time they leave us in Year 6, regardless of their background or starting point. For us, a musician is more than someone who can play an instrument or sing – a musician is someone who:

Understands the value of music in our lives.
Shows true musicianship through creativity, dedication and expression.
Appreciates music as the soundtrack of life, recognising its power to connect us within our community and beyond.

What It Means to Be a Musician

A Birchwood musician has:

Appreciation – recognising the beauty and uniqueness of every piece of music.
Creativity – thriving on the challenge of musical exploration and composition.
Knowledge – understanding the foundations of music and how they combine to create something new.
Individuality – expressing their own ideas and personality through their musical creations.
Confidence – celebrating achievements through performance and taking pride in their abilities.

How We Teach Music

Our music curriculum is designed to give children the knowledge, skills and confidence to become musicians. Through engaging lessons, children explore rhythm, melody, composition and performance. They learn to listen attentively, appraise thoughtfully and create imaginatively.

Alongside structured teaching, we provide a wealth of opportunities for children to perform and share their music. Whether it’s in the classroom, assemblies, concerts or wider community events, pupils are encouraged to showcase their talents and celebrate both their own and others’ musical achievements.

The Outcome

By the time they leave Birchwood Junior School, our pupils not only have the skills to make music but also a deep appreciation of its power and joy. They carry with them confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of music – truly becoming musicians in every sense of the word.