Policy Statement for Music
Villa Real School
Introduction
This school agrees with the National Plan for Music Education (DfE, 2011), and the Durham
County Policy Statement for Music, fully accepting the designation of Music as a foundation
subject of the National Curriculum.
The development of musical skills and appreciation of music is seen as an important
entitlement for all pupils within the school, from 2 to 19 years.
Definition
The teaching of Music is undertaken throughout all phases of the school, both in time
specifically allocated to the subject, and across the curriculum.
This teaching aims to develop skills, and to ensure that listening, and applying knowledge
and understanding are developed through the interrelated skills of performing, composing
and appraising.
A crucial element is the identification, assessment and development of skills, knowledge,
understanding and experience of music, which are pre-requisites to those identified in
National Curriculum statutory requirements.
For some pupils and students, this requires a multi-sensory curriculum designed to enhance
their experience of, and ability to respond to, learning situations and their environment,
including other people.
Scope
This Policy applies equally to all students and pupils in the school, with full consideration
being given to each individual’s specific needs in relation to the learning of music and music
appreciation. All students will be treated equitably and with respect, irrespective of their
gender, social, cultural, ethnic or religious background, family circumstances or age.
As part of this process, advice and guidance is sought, when appropriate, from other
professionals working in the school in a peripatetic capacity – including speech therapists,
occupational therapists, physiotherapists, educational psychologists and teachers of the
multi-sensory impaired.
Rationale
This school recognises that the opportunities for experience of music and the acquisition of
skills, knowledge and understanding to as high a level as can be achieved by each pupil and
student is important to his/her overall development.
Entitlement
All pupils and students at Villa Real are entitled to a Music Curriculum that offers
opportunities for the development of listening, and applying knowledge and understanding
developed through the interrelated skills of performing, composing and appraising:

Individually and in different groupings.

For a variety of audiences both with and without accompanying music.

In a range of situations including play and role-play.

Using a wide range of resources and materials appropriate to abilities and age,
including a variety of instruments, recordings and published material and live music.

Expressed in different ways through actions, singing, dancing and facial expression.

Using ICT, electronic music and the Soundbeam facility.
The achievements of all pupils and students are recognised as having relevance to each of
these areas.
Aims
This school believes that, apart from its intrinsic worth, the aim of the Music Curriculum is to
enable each pupil and student to develop his/her full potential for:

Relating to others in meaningful, sensitive and fulfilling ways.

Self advocacy - the ability to make and communicate choices and decisions.

Appreciation and enjoyment of music.

Self expression in relation to music.

Performing music.

Composing music.

The control of movement and body awareness.

Building confidence, self esteem and perseverance.

Developing music as a leisure activity.
Requirements/Expectations
Each area of the Music Curriculum is taught throughout the school within levels dictated by
the needs and abilities of individual pupils and students, and with regard to the age
appropriateness of content and/or style. Individual levels of achievement in all areas will be
monitored and recorded by class teachers, or the Music Co-ordinator, using systems
developed in school.
Where appropriate, class teachers will liaise with other professionals in developing effective
and appropriate teaching/learning situations and monitoring individual progress.
It is the intention of the school to provide the resources and opportunities for training
necessary for teaching and non-teaching staff to put the Policy into practice.
School based INSET time will be used to:

Facilitate the standardisation and moderation of assessment and recording
procedures.

Share and develop teaching strategies and skills.

Familiarise staff with available teaching resources.
The Curriculum Guidelines, which accompany this Policy, indicate the means by which the
aims are put into effect and the requirements/expectations met.
Conclusion
This school believes that the teaching of Music is fundamentally important to the whole of the
curriculum for our pupils and students. We are committed to providing full opportunities for
each individual to achieve the aims described above.
Reviewed, April 2014