Music at Granard
At Granard we ensure Music is accessible to all children. We want every child to know that they are musical and to have the opportunity to discover and develop their musical potential.
We value Music because it is a powerful and unique form of communication that changes and impacts the way children feel, think and act. It enriches children’s lives in so many ways: enjoying listening, experiencing the joy of singing and performing with others, building the self-esteem and confidence to express themselves, and developing the focus and discipline to learn an instrument and achieve mastery.
Music teaching in Granard starts in the Early Years (Reception) and extends across all 6 primary years. Children have a weekly lesson with a specialist teacher.
We use the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum as a starting point for our curriculum and follow a set Scheme of Work that has a clear progression of skills and knowledge. This is linked to Granard’s curriculum topics, where appropriate, enabling the children to deepen and master their knowledge, skills and vocabulary and make meaningful links across the curriculum.
In music lessons children develop transferable skills of teamwork, leadership and creative thinking and the skills that are linked to our 6Rs: Ready, Responsible, Respectful, Resourceful, Resilient, Reflective.
We run a variety of music clubs during the year – ocarina, recorder and choir to further develop our pupil’s interests and musical skills.
We are proud of our pupil’s achievements and celebrate their musical talents. Parents are welcomed to musical performances throughout the year: Christmas nativities; Nursey Sing-along; Winter Wonderland; concerts showcasing the progress for our Brass players; the Year 6 production.
In recent years, KS2 pupils and staff worked together on musical productions of Oliver and The Wizard of Oz, which were warmly received by sell-out audiences.
We enjoy close links with Wandsworth Music Service and are able to offer our pupils free Brass lessons and singing lessons through ‘Singing Projects’.
In Year 4, children have whole-class brass lessons during their music lessons. Pupils are then given the opportunity to develop their skills and continue their free lessons in Years 5 and 6 (Brass Continuers). ‘Singing Projects’ give opportunity for children to develop their vocal skills and to perform with pupils from other schools in well-known concert venues across London.
There are also opportunities during the year for children to perform in the local area. Recent performances have been at Ashmead Care Home, St. Margaret’s Church and the exciting Grow Roehampton Street Band Project which culminated in a Street Band Procession in our local estate and a concert at Ibstock Place School.