Overview

Detail	Information
Academic year that this summary covers	2024-25
Date this summary was published	Sept 2024
Date this summary will be reviewed	July 2025
Name of the school music lead	Aiden Edgar
Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different)
Name of local music hub	Plymouth Youth Music Service
Name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place)	Devon Music Hub, Mayflower Community Academy & Nursery, Learning Academies Trust

 

Part A: Curriculum Music

At Ford Primary School, music education is a key part of the curriculum, with each class receiving one hour of music instruction per week. The school uses the Charanga music curriculum, a leading resource in music education known for its spiral approach based on the Model Music Curriculum. Charanga’s design allows students to build their musical skills progressively over time, ensuring a strong foundation for future learning.

While singing is included, Charanga places a strong emphasis on instrumental learning and interactive resources. Students explore a wide range of musical instruments, helping them develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of music. The curriculum incorporates technology and digital tools that make music lessons interactive and engaging, enhancing both enjoyment and accessibility.

In addition to class-based instruction, Ford Primary offers small group instrumental tuition, allowing students to further refine their skills. This complements their broader music education and provides opportunities for students to apply their learning in both individual and group settings.

The curriculum encourages creativity and exploration through Charanga’s "listen and appraise," "create and explore," and "perform and share" framework. Lessons are structured to ensure that new concepts build on previous learning, covering a wide range of musical elements such as rhythm, melody, and composition.

Students at Ford Primary also have regular opportunities to perform, both within the school and in the local community. Collaborations with local music hubs, community groups, and cultural organisations provide valuable performance experience, helping students grow as confident, well-rounded musicians while fostering a deeper connection to the community.

 

Part B: Co-Curricular Music

At Ford Primary School, we offer a diverse range of co-curricular music activities to complement the in-class music curriculum, giving students the opportunity to further their musical development. Through a combination of instrumental tuition, choir, and collaborative community projects, students can engage in a variety of musical experiences that enhance their skills and passion for music. Charanga’s interactive resources are available for home use, allowing children to practice independently with their personal logins.

School Choir and Ensemble Opportunities

Ford Primary School proudly offers a fully inclusive and non-auditioned choir for Key Stage 2 children. The choir performs regularly at local events throughout the year, providing students the opportunity to share their love of singing with the wider community. Children in the choir enjoy learning and performing a diverse repertoire, ranging from traditional songs to contemporary pieces, ensuring a broad and engaging musical experience for all.

Instrumental Tuition and Progression

In addition to the choir, Ford Primary provides instrumental tuition, including in-house clarinet lessons on a small group basis. Students benefit from having access to Charanga both in class and at home, which supports independent learning and practice. The school ensures that students can engage with high-quality music resources, developing both technical skills and musical literacy through a combination of class-based and independent learning.

Ford Primary is also collaborating with the Plymouth Youth Music Service, Jack Harman, Ryan Jenkins, and Mayflower Community Academy to create an exciting new Gamelan ensemble. This unique project involves not only children but also their parents and members of the local community, fostering a deeper connection to music across generations. Additionally, the school offers a weekly First Access music class for a selection of children across Key Stage 2, providing an introduction to instrumental learning and performance.

Community Engagement and Performance

Performance is a key aspect of the co-curricular music program at Ford Primary. Whether through the school choir or instrumental ensembles, students are regularly involved in performances both within the school and at community events. These experiences not only build confidence and musicianship but also strengthen the bond between the school and the local community. The Gamelan ensemble project, in particular, represents a dynamic collaboration that brings together children, families, and local musicians, contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the area.

Partnerships and Support

Ford Primary’s co-curricular music program is enriched by partnerships with organisations such as the Plymouth Youth Music Service and local music experts. These collaborations provide students with access to high-quality music education at little to no cost, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all. By working closely with local music hubs and experts, the school ensures that every child has the opportunity to develop their musical skills and participate in performances, no matter their background.

In summary, Ford Primary School is dedicated to providing inclusive and engaging co-curricular music opportunities that complement in-class learning. Through instrumental tuition, choir, and collaborative projects, students can explore their musical talents while contributing to the cultural life of the community.

 

Part C: Musical Experiences

At Ford Primary School, we provide a diverse range of musical experiences designed to inspire and engage students throughout the academic year. These experiences offer all students opportunities to participate in performances, concerts, and music-making events, both within the school and in the wider community.

Regular Events:

Singing in Assembly: Weekly singing assemblies bring together students from all year groups to celebrate music. These assemblies offer students the chance to perform as a group, as well as individually or in small ensembles. Students receiving instrumental tuition, whether through the school or privately, are encouraged to share their progress by performing in these assemblies, creating a supportive and collaborative musical environment.

School Concerts and Performances: Throughout the year, Ford Primary hosts a variety of concerts, including seasonal performances such as winter and summer concerts. These events feature students from across the school, including the school choir and instrumentalists learning instruments like the clarinet. Participation is open to all year groups, providing students with valuable performance experience and building confidence in front of their peers, families, and the community.

Annual Music and Arts Festival: One of the highlights of the year is the opportunity for Ford Primary students to perform at the Mayflower Community Academy's Music and Arts Festival. Ford Primary is invited to participate in this celebration, offering students the chance to perform alongside other musicians, choirs and artists from across Plymouth. This event is a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their talents in a broader context, surrounded by a vibrant community of artists.

External Concerts and Shows:

Community Performances: The Ford Primary School choir, open to all Key Stage 2 students, participates in local community events and concerts throughout the year. The choir is fully inclusive, non-auditioned, and free to join, ensuring that every student who enjoys singing has the opportunity to get involved. These performances give students a platform to demonstrate their musical skills while contributing to community events, helping to build confidence and a sense of belonging.

Collaborative Gamelan Ensemble: Ford Primary is also part of a collaborative Gamelan ensemble project, working with the Plymouth Youth Music Service, Jack Harman, Ryan Jenkins, and Mayflower Community Academy. This project brings together students, their families, and the community, offering a unique musical experience. The ensemble provides an exciting opportunity for students and their families to explore music together and perform as a group, fostering creativity and a strong community bond.

Trips and External Musical Experiences:

Concerts and Workshops: We organise regular trips for students to attend concerts and participate in musical workshops outside the school. These experiences provide students with the chance to see professional musicians in action and, in some cases, engage directly with the performers in hands-on workshops. Thanks to our partnerships with local music organisations, many of these trips are either fully subsidised or offered at a reduced cost, making them accessible to all students.

Participation and Audience Involvement:

Students across all year groups are encouraged to participate in our music events, either as performers or audience members. Whether through the school choir, instrumental tuition, or involvement in the Gamelan ensemble, there are plenty of opportunities for students to showcase their talents. We also encourage individual and group performances during assemblies and school concerts, ensuring all students have the chance to be involved in live music, whether as performers or as part of the audience.

Charging and Subsidies:

Ford Primary is dedicated to ensuring that all musical experiences are accessible to every student. Participation in school performances and concerts is free, and costs for external trips and events are kept as low as possible. In many cases, events are subsidised through partnerships with local music organisations, and for students eligible for pupil premium, additional financial support is available to cover participation and travel costs.

Partnerships Supporting Musical Experiences:

Our music program is strengthened by partnerships with local organisations like the Plymouth Youth Music Service, Mayflower Community Academy, and other music groups. These collaborations allow us to offer high-quality musical experiences, from workshops and instrumental tuition to performance opportunities. Many events are free or subsidised, ensuring that all students can participate in the wide range of musical activities available.

In Summary:

Ford Primary School is committed to providing a dynamic and inclusive program of musical experiences throughout the year. Through regular performances, collaborative projects, and external trips, students have ample opportunities to engage with music, whether as performers or appreciative audience members. These experiences enhance students' musical education and foster a lifelong passion for the arts.

 

In the Future

At Ford Primary School, we are always looking for ways to enrich our music program and provide even more opportunities for our students to explore their musical potential. Over the next year, we plan to introduce several exciting initiatives to expand our music offering:

1. Wider Instrumental Tuition Options:
We aim to broaden the range of instrumental tuition available to our students by introducing lessons for additional instruments such as guitar, keyboard, and percussion. By offering a wider variety of instruments, we hope to cater to different musical interests and encourage more students to take up instrumental learning.

2. School Orchestra:
We are planning to establish a school orchestra, where students learning various instruments can come together to perform as an ensemble. This will give students the chance to develop their skills in a group setting, fostering collaboration and teamwork while enhancing their musical abilities.

3. Digital Music Production Club:
With the growing interest in music technology, we hope to launch a digital music production club. This will introduce students to the world of music composition using technology, teaching them how to create, record, and produce their own music using software. It will give students the opportunity to explore modern forms of music-making and encourage creativity in a new, exciting way.

4. More Performance Opportunities:
We plan to increase the number of performance opportunities for our students, both within the school and in the community. In addition to our current events, we are looking to organise more regular in-house concerts and performances, giving students of all abilities a platform to showcase their musical progress and talents.

5. Music Mentorship Program:
To further support musical growth, we hope to introduce a mentorship program where older or more advanced students can mentor younger students who are just beginning their musical journey. This peer-support system will help build confidence, promote leadership skills, and strengthen our musical community.

These initiatives are part of our commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive music environment at Ford Primary, where every student can engage with music in a meaningful and enjoyable way.