At Riverside Academy, we believe that music provides the opportunity for children to develop their creativity and imagination. Our curriculum promotes a love of music and enables children to engage with a wide range of different cultures and sounds.

The EYFS curriculum includes rich opportunities for pupils to encounter the joy of music through singing and playing. Within the Foundation Stage, pupils can experiment with musical instruments through adult led activities and within the continuous provision. Pupils sing and perform a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs whilst learning how to move in time with music.

Warwickshire Music deliver a sequence of progressive weekly lessons to our Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 classes and over time, give the children time to master new concepts. Within our planning, key objectives and vocabulary are outlined.

All pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 access at least 30 minutes per week of taught music where they are given opportunities to play a tuned or un-tuned instrument as well as singing throughout the year.

‘UpBeat’ music provision

All children in Year 4 learn ukulele as a whole class ensemble for the entire academic year. These session are delivered by a specialist music teacher from Warwickshire Music and supported by the teaching staff in Year 4. Each child has access to a ukulele in school and a ukulele is also provided for children to take home to practise throughout the programme. Warwickshire Music believe that the ‘UpBeat’ programme delivers all aspects needed for a child’s first steps on their music journey and has in place all the progression routes to fulfil that child’s potential.

Warwickshire Sings!
 

All children in Year 5 participate in a 45 minute biweekly singing lesson. This is delivered by a specialist Vocal Animateur from Warwickshire Music and supported by the teaching staff in Year 5. These sessions will develop the children’s singing through a range of appropriately selected songs and activities. Warwickshire Sings! aims to raise the profile and quality on children's singing within and beyond the curriculum and classroom. Children who take part in the programme will also be invited to join free choirs that Warwickshire Music will establish in each of the Music Centres across the county to enable our children to develop their singing beyond the classroom.   

Ukulele music tuition

In spring term, Year 5 students are invited to attend an additional small group ukulele music tuition for the remainder of Year 5 and the first term of Year 6. The small group sessions are at an additional charge of £1 a session and will build on knowledge and skills acquired in the Year 4 'UpBeat' session and Year 5 music lessons.