Music
The teacher in charge of music is Mrs A Rosamond.
Music is a very important part of Netherton School. We aim for every child to have the experience of singing, creating music and performing during their time with us.
Music Curriculum intent, implementation and impact overview.
Intent.
The intent of our Music curriculum is to deliver a practical, creative curriculum, which is accessible to all. We recognise the importance of music and how it impacts on the lives of all our children. Our aim is to promote enthusiasm for and enjoyment of music in all its forms and also to develop musical skills and knowledge. By engaging children in musical experiences we can offer our children opportunities to develop skills, attitudes and attributes that can support learning in other areas as well as developing life skills such as listening skills, the ability to concentrate, creativity, self -confidence and a sensitivity towards others.
To build a musical curriculum which delivers a practical and creative approach, accessible to all. To promote enthusiasm and enjoyment of music in all it’s forms and develop musical skills and knowledge.
To build a curriculum subject which ensures children develop skills, attitudes and attributes, that can support learning in other areas. To have a curriculum that develops life skills such as listening skills, the ability to concentrate, creativity, self confidence and a sensitivity towards others. Implementation
We have a clear and comprehensive scheme of work through Sing up, Charanga and whole class instrument teaching. Each unit of work recaps on prior learning and shows how this is built upon. Wakefield music service are heavily involved with school , especially year 4,5 and 6, with year 5 being offered wider opportunities through learning the ukulele.
Peripatetic teachers come into school and teach individual instruments to those children who wish to learn them. We offer brass, woodwind, strings, guitar, piano and vocal lessons.
A love of playing an instrument is promoted and encouraged and gives the children a form of expressing themselves.
Planning and teaching.
The music lead in school supports teaching and teaches blocks in Early years 1 and 2, yr 1, yr 2, and yr 3.
Children will access different extra curricular music opportunities such as choir, singing in the local community and taking part in Young Voices.
Yr 4 and year 6 access ‘Fit beat’ incorporating music themes and teaching. These sessions are led by Mr Jim Pitchforth from Wakefield music services.
Year 5 access whole class teaching of ukulele, and taught by Mr Pitchforth.
Singing assemblies.
These are whole school and are led by the music lead. Listening skills, warm ups and different song styles , along with composer knowledge are taught during these sessions. There is also a monthly composer for music listening, including information about their lives, music style and impact on the world music scene.
Visits and visitors
Jim Pitchforth leads ukulele concerts in school and the community. We have an annual music concert for parents, which showcases the children’s talents. The choir takes part in Young Voices annually and we undertake visits to theatre performances. School also takes part in events run by the music service, as well as performances in Theatre Royal Wakefield. We have strong links with CAPA college of performing arts, and groups from the college have been in to perform and hold question and answer sessions. We have also attended performances at the college.
Choir and ukulele group take part in ‘big sing,’ and ‘big strum’ events at Wakefield cathedral
Pupil discussions and questionnaires.
Children can reflect on styles of music and skills learnt, talking about lessons and their favourite parts of music lessons and music provision in school through discussions with the music lead.
Impact
Children will make at least good progress from their last point of statutory assessment from their starting point in EY2. Assessments are made through snapshot lessons and assessments by the music lead. Children in KS1 and Early years will undertake snapshot sessions as an assessment tool.
Children in KS2 are assessed by Jim Pitchforth, who teaches their sessions.
Children will retain knowledge that is pertinent to music and will have performance skills and confidence to take part and enjoy performing.
Children will achieve age related expectations in music at the end of their cohort year. and will participate in wider musical activities. Opportunities like those mentioned will lead to greater self confidence and the children will gain wider audience performance experience.
Music scheme of work for EY1 to Yr 3
year 4 year 6 undertake fit beat music sessions led by Mr Pitchforth.
Year 5 undertake wider opportunities/music ukulele sessions with Mr Pitchforth.
Charanga links in with the yr 7 Curriculum taught in our local secondary school – Horbury Academy. Please see below for the link to the yr 7 music overview.
Music Curriculum Overview Y7 (1)
Other useful documentation. M
mt-music-development-plan 2025-26
WMS NC Progression Map Minimum Expected Standards 2025
Peripatetic music service.
At Netherton School we actively encourage children to take part in Music, one such way is to learn to play an instrument with one of the peripatetic teachers from Wakefield music service. Below are the documents and information you will need if you wish for your child to play a musical instrument. The peripatetic music teachers currently teaching in school are;
Woodwind – Laura Netherwood
Brass – Jim Fletcher
Guitar – Eddie Hill
Piano/vocal – Rachel Chapman
Percussion – Jim Pitchforth.
Strings/Piano – Maddy Bentley
Peripatetic music timetable from September 2025
Learning a musical instrument at Netherton
Cover letter to charging policy
Summer
The year 5 pupils took part in the ‘Big Strum event at Wakefield Cathedral. They performed with other schools from the Wakefield Authority, working on different ukulele pieces and then performing for parents. Well done year 5 and thank you to Mr Pitchforth, who works with our children weekly.
