St Swithun Wells has the Music Mark

Congratulations! Hillingdon Music Service would like to celebrate the value that you place on music in your school.  On behalf of Music Mark and from us at Hillingdon Music Service, we would like to thank you for all the hard work your school does to support this collective vision.  

Music Curriculum Intent Statement

Our vision for music is that we provide every child with high quality music experiences which engage and inspire them. We provide opportunities for all pupils to create, play, perform and enjoy music and to appreciate a variety of music styles. We aim for every child to leave St Swithun Wells with a range of musical skills, knowledge and an understanding and love of music which they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Music Curriculum Implementation Statement

Our school uses the Charanga scheme (from Hillingdon Music Service) as the basis for its curriculum planning. This scheme has an integrated, practical, exploratory and child led approach to musical learning.

The learning within this scheme is based on:

•          Listening and Appraising,

•          Musical Activities (including Creating and Exploring)

•          Singing and Performing.

At St Swithun Wells we encourage pupils to participate in a variety of musical experiences through which we aim to build up the confidence of all pupils. Singing is an integral part of our school life and our teaching focuses on developing the pupils’ ability to sing in tune, developing their expression and ability to listen to others. Pupils’ understanding of music will be developed through activities which bring together the requirements of performing, composing, listening and appraising. Pupils are taught to make music together with tuned and un-tuned instruments and to compose pieces. They are also taught to sing and play in time controlling the sound and pace. They are taught different ways to represent sounds graphically and symbolically. Children are also given the opportunity to additionally learn an instrument- violin, woodwind or keyboard and we supplement this by teaching whole class Ocarinas and Recorders.

Historically we have worked closely with Hillingdon Music Hub Teachers through weekly singing teaching across the school. St Swithun Wells' School Choir lead a music concert every Christmas and Summer and are accompanied by a number of solo instrumental performances. Other performances take place at church and local residential care homes.