‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.'

The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
•    perform, listen to, review and evaluate music;
•    learn to sing, create and compose music, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and use technology appropriately;
•    understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the interrelated dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations (KS2).

At The Federation of The Annunciation Catholic Schools we ensure that every pupil has access to music as a unique way of communication, inspiration and motivation. We want to create a passion for music in our pupils that can impact their future lives. We want to ensure that music is an inspiring and engaging experience that helps pupils to develop their musical potential and appreciation of music that is personal to them. Music reflects the culture and society in which we live in so the teaching and learning of music enables pupils to better understand their world. 

In early years music contributes to pupils’ personal, social and creative development. Counting songs foster mathematical ability, and movement helps children to build their motor skills while allowing them to practise self expression.

As a Catholic school, we teach our pupils to show their understanding of catholic values through music and to use music as a tool to express themselves and their beliefs. Music also plays part in helping pupils to feel part of a community. We encourage pupils to use their musical skills, knowledge and experience to involve themselves in music in our local community and parish.

Besides being creative and enjoyable activity, music can also be highly academic and demanding subject. In our school we provide a variety of musical experiences through enriched curriculum which develops learning, improves knowledge   and promotes well-being. We provide opportunities for all pupils to sing, play, create, compose, perform and enjoy music, to develop the skills, to appreciate a wide variety of musical forms, and to begin make judgment about the quality of music.

Our music curriculum aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish and become   confident learners.

We teach the Music National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression, which are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. Our music curriculum is mapped out to provide our pupils with wide exposure to musical styles and genres from various places.

Music lessons are timetabled weekly with a music specialist teacher in the Infants School and alternate half terms in the Junior School. Pupils from KS1 take part in Hymn Practice on a weekly basis, where they learn a variety of hymns and songs and prepare for school assemblies, liturgies, Masses and concerts. Our Infant School is a member of Sing Up platform. We take part by in Sing Up Day by recording a video of a Sing Up Day song and uploading it to the international platform as Digichoir. Pupils also take part in the Infant Music Festival. We also provide extra-curricular activity such as Recorder Club, where some of Year 2 pupils are offered the opportunity to learn the recorder with a music specialist.

In our school pupils have the opportunity to enjoy music in as many ways – either as listeners, creators or performers.  They can demonstrate a clear progression of knowledge and skills in music and have an understanding of how to further deepen their skills, should they develop an interest in music beyond school. 

In the Junior School, all children sing in music lessons, liturgies, mass and during liturgies. Children have the opportunity to be a part of the school choir. Choir members perform at special occasions such as joint concerts with the Infants School and the Barnet Music Festival. Class lessons provide pupils with the opportunity to play various instruments including percussion instruments, djembes, keyboards, ukuleles and I-pads are used to teach Music Technology. Children also have the opportunity to learn how to play the violin or the ukulele by a specialist music teacher. A school band is put together for special occasions. Pupils are encouraged to participate in musical activities outside of school such as Barnet choirs or ensembles.