In Music, a Roundwood learner will know…
…music can excite, inspire, motivate, stimulate or relax. Through specialist teaching, pupils develop their understanding of musical dimensions, develop their aural memory through listening and appreciation, and learn to express ideas and emotions through song and instrumentation creating their own music, including composition with technology. All pupils have the opportunity to learn to play the keyboard, cello and steel pans and engage in singing and, throughout their time in school, have opportunities to perform.
Music is a key ingredient of life at Roundwood Primary. From the little ‘acorns’ in Oak class to the Year 6 steel pan band, music is woven throughout all areas of learning and school life.
In Foundation Stage, phonics learning is introduced to children through story and rhyme, teaching children patterns and rhythm, and songs are used to explore all areas of learning as well as the routines of the school day.
As children move through school, they have the opportunity to listen and perform music in assemblies and productions, sharing musical experiences with their peers and learning the art of performance. Regular opportunities to sing as a class and as a school teaches children to value their voices and share in the pleasure of collective singing.
Cultural musical influences are also explored and pupils experience music from a range of periods in history as well from around the world, learning about its cultural heritage, its geographical provenance and the way in which it shaped the lifestyle of the time.
The school is equipped with a wide range of instruments and during the course of their time with us, pupils will learn to play a range of both tuned and untuned percussion instruments, the keyboard, cello and steel pans. In addition, tuition in the piano, clarinet, recorder and guitar is also offered by external providers.
Through immersive experiences to perform in concerts, both in school, as part of the Harpenden Schools’ Music Association and as part of broader community groups, pupils experience the joy music can bring to others. In the upper School, pupils also have the opportunity to perform at the O2 as part of a Young Voices performance, the Royal Albert hall as part of a combined Hertfordshire Schools’ music group as well as take part in local music competitions such as the St Albans Musician of the Year.
‘Parents and pupils appreciate the tremendous number of clubs and special events such as outstanding musical productions and the popular Steel Pan Bands.’ (Ofsted 2006)
‘Outstanding specialist teaching in music for all pupils.’ (Ofsted 2006)
