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The National Music Curriculum in England
A quick summary
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The National Curriculum describes music as a powerful, unique form of communication that can transform the way pupils feel, think and act. It sets out what should be taught in music in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 and provides the basis for planning schemes of work. Pupils learn to listen and to apply their knowledge and understanding as they develop performing skills - controlling sounds through singing and playing; composing skills - creating and developing musical ideas; and appraising skills - responding to music and reviewing their work. All pupils, from 5-14, have a statutory entitlement to music education in class. Individual instrumental lessons are not part of the National Curriculum and are therefore not statutory.
The terms performing and composing have a broad meaning when they describe what your child will be taught in class. Performing refers to any activity that gives rise to musical sound, either sung or played. Composing encompasses any act of musical creation from simple experiments with sound to improvising and, inventing music in groups. Notation, traditional or otherwise, can and should be introduced at any of these stages.
This is what the National Curriculum says your child should be offered in school.
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Age 5-7 - Key Stage 1
Pupils will learn to listen carefully and respond physically to a wide range of music. They will play musical instruments and sing a variety of songs from memory, adding accompaniments and creating short compositions, with increasing confidence, imagination and control. They will explore and enjoy how sounds and silence can create different moods and effects.
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Age 7-11 - Key Stage 2
Pupils will sing songs and play instruments with increasing confidence, skill, expression and awareness of their own contribution to a group or class performance. They will improvise and develop their own musical compositions in response to a variety of different stimuli with increasing personal involvement, independence and creativity. They will explore their thoughts and feelings through responding physically, intellectually and emotionally to a variety of music from different times and cultures.
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Age 11-14 - Key Stage 3
Pupils deepen and extend their own musical interests and skills. They perform and compose music in different styles with increasing understanding of musical devices, processes and contextual influences. They work individually and in groups of different sizes and become increasingly aware of the different roles and contributions of each member of the group. They actively explore specific genres, styles and traditions from different times and cultures with increasing ability to discriminate, think critically and make connections between different areas of knowledge.
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Age 14 -16 - Key Stage 4: GCSE
GCSE Music is an optional subject. Your child's school will tell you which examining board it uses. Each board offers a qualification based upon a combination of assessed coursework and examination, covering more advanced forms of:
- Performing
- Composing
- Listening and Appraising
The aim is to enable the student to make music, to develop a life-long interest in music and to progress to further study or a career if they wish to. It helps if your child has instrumental lessons, although this is not necessarily a requirement.
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Age 14 + - Vocational GCSE
In addition there are now moves to add Music to the growing list of subjects available as a Vocational GCSE subject. Keep an eye on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (Q.C.A.) site for developments.
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| Every child is unique and develops at his or her own pace. The information in BBC Parents' Music Room is for information and guidance only and should not be treated as a substitute for medical, legal or other professional advice. |
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