Whole School Rationale:

At the Academy of Woodlands we teach a broad music curriculum across the school, covering the National Curriculum and beyond. Nursery and Reception children take part in weekly music sessions which include singing, musical games and playing both tuned and untuned percussion. Children in Key Stages 1 and 2 follow a more structured music programme throughout their time at the school. 

Key Stage One

Year One receive a weekly 45-minute music lesson, which will cover a broad range of topics including singing, keyboards, percussion, both tuned and untuned, listening, music theory, music history and composition. In addition children will work towards a Christmas show and have dedicated music time to prepare for this.

Year Two will be expanding on their skills and knowledge from Year One in continued weekly 45-minute music lessons. In addition, Year Two children will attend a music festival in March, performing at the Central Theatre in Chatham to a large audience. They will perform a series of songs with other schools, as well as a specially written composition exclusively for the Academy of Woodlands.

Key Stage Two

Year Three will continue developing their knowledge of singing, keyboards, percussion, listening, music theory, music history and composition through weekly 45-minute lessons.

Year Four will be the first year where children will have the opportunity to be able to apply for free trombone, violin, clarinet, trumpet or double bass lessons, which are funded by the school. They are also able to join the clarinet club and/or recorder club which culminate in a full orchestral concert at the end of the academic year.  Children in Year Four will also have the opportunity to perform at the Central Theatre in Chatham at a primary school’s music festival.

Year Five will be the first year where children will have the opportunity to audition to take part in the annual school musical, which takes place at the end of the academic year. They are required to audition individually with dialogue and singing in front of an audition panel in order to take part in the show. Children will be continuing to develop their musical skills in continued weekly 45-minute lessons.  

Year Six will provide a second opportunity for children to audition to take part in the annual school musical. Year Six children will also have the opportunity to sing at Rochester Cathedral in December with the Medway Music Christmas Carol Festival. Weekly music lessons will continue in Year Six, where children will have the opportunity to further develop and hone their knowledge and skills.