Music is at the heart of our Cockwood family, enriching our school community and bringing together both staff and children through music making, composing, song and celebration. We strongly believe that every child should have access to a range of musical experiences, and have the chance to perform, compose and play at every age and stage of their musical journey. Every child receives a dedicated Music lesson every week, where pupils can create and perform using both traditional instruments and innovative digital technologies, piecing together elements of technical knowledge, construction and expression to ensure progression and a love of music.
As a school we have invested in and committed to woodwind whole class ensemble teaching, owning a class set of Doods which each class can use throughout the year. Children start their woodwind journey by learning the recorder in Key Stage 1, moving onto the Dood through the latter stages of Year 2, then throughout Years 3 to 6. Each lesson builds on prior knowledge and experiences, utilising the key elements of rhythm, beat keeping, notation and appraising, to ensure a progression of fundamental skills, technical knowledge and the ability to perform.
To embed this musical development throughout everything we do, we have weekly singing assemblies where the children work on posture, breath, pitch and phrasing through collective worship, seasonal songs and songs for performing. We create cross curricular links where applicable and use song as a key vehicle for learning, especially in Class 3 where instructions and key learning concepts are often delivered through song. We strive to provide workshops from specialist musicians and peripatetic teachers, giving all children the chance to play a new, exciting instrument to a skilled level in a class ensemble setting. For example, we have had African drumming workshops to supplement learning around Africa, and Taiko drumming to support learning about Japanese culture and history.
We take great pride in the performances we offer to families, from whole school Christmas shows to class assemblies, Music showcases and Harvest festivals. These performances provide every child within our setting the opportunity to perform musically in many ways, and take to the stage and shine within their role.
We strive to keep our music provision progressive and relevant, and it is important to us that all our children take part in external musical experiences, ranging from classical music performances at Powderham Castle, to the eclectic ‘Mix’ Festival. Children develop an appreciation and understanding of music over time through daily exposure to a wide range of genres and significant composers, using ABRSM 200 and Model Music Curriculum documentation to guide these choices. We have a busy school Choir who represent the school throughout the year in events with other schools and in the local community, as well as a range of peripatetic teachers offering both single and group lessons. We liaise with schools across our MAT, as well as local Secondary schools to provide opportunities for collaboration and performance, and ensure the transition from Year 6 to 7 is aided by musical endeavour.
Cockwood Vocabulary Progression
