Learning  »  Curriculum  »  Music

Welcome to the Music Page!

This page will be updated with the latest news about Music in school.
Leeds Music Champion Status logo from artformsleeds.co.uk
In July 2023, we were thrilled to have our Music Champion status revalidated by Leeds, which recognises our commitment to Music across school. We were one of the first of 10 schools in Leeds to be awarded this status back in 2018.

How do we teach Music at Pool?

Sing Up - Wikipedia           
Our teaching of Music supports the (non-statutory) Music Model Curriculum.  This gives a recommended approach to Music which is ambitious, well sequenced and progressive.  All children experience four key elements:  singing, listening, composing and performing.  Children are taught musical skills through specific timetabled lesson time and also at other times of the week, for example during assemblies, routines and other curriculum activities.  Live music opportunities are also accessed.  The teaching and learning of music is supported by a variety of resources such as BBC Ten Pieces, Out of the Ark and Sing Up! (a music teaching scheme that covers all the dimensions of the Music Model Curriculum). 

Assessment in our Music Curriculum
Every Sing Up! unit has learning outcomes. Intended to inform teaching, they are not assessment statements. For assessment purposes, teachers should aim to become familiar with the intended outcomes for their class. Over time, with frequent reference to the year group outcomes, teachers should be able to say who in their class is achieving in line with expectation (‘most children will’), who is struggling, and who is showing aptitude. This is a general impression, not a judgement against tick charts or formal tests. Teachers aim to informally observe 5 or 6 children each week, referring to the outcomes for their year group, rather than trying to observe everyone every week. Teaching and practice time is important, and lessons should not be taken up with testing to complete tick box judgements.

Instrumental Opportunities in School

We are extremely lucky at Pool to be able to give children an opportunity to take their curriculum learning further with small group and individual lessons.  Currently, we offer Rocksteady (where children play rock instruments - drums, keyboards, vocals and guitars in a rock group session), and piano and vocal lessons with Peta Kendall.  More information is available from the school office.  Rocksteady application forms and information can be found on the website in this section also.

Children learn to play the recorder in Year 3 during whole class instrumental sessions.  Children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 focus on untuned and tuned percussion (glockenspiels).  Children in Key Stage 2 can join Pool Singers with Mrs Fox on Mondays after school.  Pool Singers perform at school events, in Church and at community events such as the Otley Victorian Fayre in December each year.

In the summer of 2023, 8 of our singers joined hundreds of other children from Leeds schools to sing in unison at the First Direct Arena in Leeds and in November 2023, some of our Y5 and 6 children also sang at the Leeds Winter Voices concert at Pudsey Civic Hall. 

Information on City Music Centres and beginners ensembles can be found here:Music Centres – Artforms Leeds  Beginner ensembles are a great way for children to develop instrumental skills.  They are also really fun!
Artforms Flyer for Lessons in School (Sept 2023)

Skylar's Missing Note

On Wednesday, 12th January 2021, we invited Leeds International Piano Competition into school for a performance and interactive workshops with Year 1 and 2.  Skylar's Missing Note tells the story of a girl's adventure to find her beloved piano's missing note.  This innovative performance has been specially designed for Key Stage 1 (5 – 7 year olds), and blends immersive storytelling with live piano performance to introduce pupils to the piano in a fun and engaging way. The workshops covered musical elements such as dynamics, tempo, pitch, & rhythm, as the main culprit, Mr. Pigeon, took them through his journey through the city, exploring all of the sounds and sights!  The children loved the performance and we were so delighted to offer this live music opportunity in school. 


 
Pool School Singers at Christmas

A selection of photos of Pool School Singers on tour.

Leeds Schools Music Association (LSMA) Festival Concert
Pool School's Musical Innovation Project

In 2017, Pool secured £500 from the Leeds Music Education Partnership for a Musical Innovation Project. Firstly, this money was used to fund a day of interactive musical concerts with Maia, a folk rock band, on 26th May. Every class participated in one of four concerts throughout the day. Activities included learning songs, actions, focusing on rhythm and learning about instruments. All classes had a fantastic time, shown by the enormous smiles on the faces of the children. The remainder of the money was used to purchase 15 glockenspiels to be used specifically for the BBC Music Day concert below.
Maia
BBC Music Day
We Will Rock You
Reception - Hall of the Mountain King
Year 2 - Firebird
Year 3 - Firebird
Year 6 - Mambo from West Side Story
Pool-in-Wharfedale CE Primary School Arthington Lane, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley, LS21 1LG