Music

Music at London Fields Primary School

Music is an exciting and integral part of life at London Fields Primary School and we’re proud to have achieved Artsmark Gold Status. Music inspires creativity and develops essential skills for developing confidence and self-expression, therefore we aim to provide a wide range of musical opportunities for all through our ambitious curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities.

We appreciate Music through its many art forms and introduce the children to a range of genres from Baroque through to Blues. As children progress through the school they will: deepen their understating of how music has developed through time; make links between musical genres; and appreciate how Music is influenced by the great composers, as well as the time and place that it is made. We also strive to promote a range of role models - including performers, composers and conductors - that challenge biases in Music.

Music is introduced to children in EYFS and is taught weekly in KS1, where children in Y2 learn the recorders. Our KS2 children take part in a weekly Music Assembly where musicianship is developed through singing a range of styles and taking on different parts, rhythmic warm ups and listening activities. Children that are interested in progressing their musicianship further can join the KS2 Choir (Y3-Y6), which rehearses weekly after school to prepare for performances throughout the year. Look out for sneak peaks of our rehearsals on the Music blog! We also offer Piano, Violin, Guitar and Ukulele instrumental tuition for children in Y1-Y6. Please contact the school office for more details.

It is the aim of our curriculum that pupils leave London Fields Primary School with these essential characteristics of artists.

• The ability to use musical language (for example, dynamics, texture, pitch) to interpret compositions and accentuate their individuality.
• The ability to create music confidently.
• The ability to explore and create sounds, develop and deconstruct ideas and communicate through performing.
• An impressive knowledge and understanding of other composers and musicians.
• The ability to think and act like creative practitioners by using their knowledge and understanding to inform, inspire and interpret ideas, observations and feelings.
• Independence, initiative and originality which they can use to develop their musicality.
• The ability to select and use instruments, processes and techniques skilfully and inventively to realise intentions and capitalise on the unexpected.
• The ability to reflect on, analyse and critically evaluate their own work and that of others.
• A passion for and a commitment to the subject.

How Music is taught at London Fields Primary School

Every year group has three Music topics that focuses on a particular style of Music, for example Samba in Y5, or a particular piece of music, for instance ‘The Spark Catchers’ by Hannah Kendall in Y6. Each Music topic is carefully planned to allow children to accumulate and continuously build upon their musical knowledge and develop their musical skills.

The ‘Big Ideas’ that underpin Music are:

• Describing Music
• Composing
• Performing
• Transcribing

Learning knowledge in each of the ‘Big Ideas’ categories allows pupils to express and demonstrate their understanding of the Big Idea. These ‘Big Ideas’ are returned to over and over again so pupils gradually build an understanding of them. 

Click here for more general information about the curriculum. 

Music Trips, Visitors and Workshops

We are always looking for opportunities to promote Music in the school by organising trips, visitors and workshops.

Previous enriching experiences have included:

• Visiting concert halls, for example the Barbican to listen to and perform with the London Symphony Orchestra
• Performing at Hackney Music Festival
• Watching Opera UP Close
• Taking part in workshops with a local secondary school, Bridge Academy
• Working with the Apollo Music Orchestra, which includes classroom workshops, special assemblies and concert performances
• Welcoming inspiring musicians to the school, including the Kanneh-Masons and Errolyn Wallen
• Taking part in Body Percussion workshops with Beat Goes On

Music at Home

Music has many benefits for good mental health. Listening to music or singing along to your favourite tunes is relaxing and provides a good stress release. Share with your children what you listened to growing up and your favourite musical styles.

You may also want to explore classical music together and discover the knowledge your child has developed at school. The below links provide family activities and high quality performances for all to enjoy.

LSO Discovery

BBC Ten Pieces

LSO Play

Music Tuition 

Here at London Fields we offer a range of musical lessons taught by professionals with years of experience.

Lessons are taught throughout the school day for 30mins per session.

Ukulele/Guitar is taught by James Flinton who manages his own waiting list.

He teaches almost every week of the school year so your charge will fluctuate depending on the number of weeks per half term.

 

Piano is taught by Sharona Joshua and Violin by Weiwei Fraser, who are tutors with Hackney Music Service.

They will only provide a maximum of 10 sessions each term. 

 

The costs for each lesson is outlined below: 

Instrument	Year groups	Paired Cost	Individual Cost
Ukulele	Rec - Y3	£7.50	£15
Guitar	Y3- Y6	£7.50	£15
Piano	Y1 - Y6	£10	£16
Violin	Y3 - Y6	£10	£18

 

To be added to the waiting list for instrument lessons, please email information@londonfields.hackney.sch.uk with your child full name, which instrument and the paired or individual preference. 

For Ukulele or guitar please also give consent for your email to be shared with James.