National Curriculum

At Victoria Community School, we teach music following the National Curriculum which aims to ensure that all pupils:

• perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians
• learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
• understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

Children from nursery to Year 6 receive a half hour music lesson weekly and take part in a weekly Song Practise assembly.

Music is taught using a number of resources, the main one being the Charanga Scheme of work.

Music Award

We are delighted to share with you the following news:

On behalf of the North West Midlands Music Education Hub I am delighted to present a digital version of the Excellence in Music Provision Award logo achieved by your school recently.

This award is recognition that your school has undertaken an audit of music provision in school against the Excellence criteria.  The assessment and recommended award level has been reviewed and is now supported by the Music Education Hub. A copy of the criteria can be read below.

Spring Term 2022

We have enjoyed another busy term of Music at Victoria.

In Nursery and  Reception, we have learned how to sing and act out a number of nursery rhymes.

Year 1 have been 'In the Groove' learning about different styles of music and lots of musical words such as rhythm, pitch and pulse. We have learned how to play along using the notes C and D.

Year 2 have been playing their instruments in an imaginary rock band with plenty of air guitars, drums and actions. They are beginning to improvise and compose as a class.

In year 3, we have spent some time learning to sing and play a number of songs on the glocks. We have played a duet and learned how to read music on a stave.

Year 4 are writing their own rap in their topic about bullying.  In addition have played with a live band as part of the Music Share project. More on this later.

Year 5 have also had a fantastic opportunity to sing with other schools. Have a look at the article below for more information.

Finally, in year 6, we have been learning about Jazz. We have learned a number of songs and have improvised our own notes. Some of us have composed a four bar rhythm of our own.

Lichfield Music Share concert 31st March 2022

Year 4 were lucky enough to take part in this amazing project. Originally we were due to perform in October but because of Covid, this had to be postponed until March. A live band from Music Share which is part of Lichfield Cathedral School came to visit us and we performed a number of songs, some in two parts, with help from Cathy Lamb and Mrs. Smith. We performed to the other children at Orchard site and had a great time. Cathy even taught the whole of Orchard a new song called I Just Gotta Sing. Have a look at the photos of our concert.

Manchester Camerata project

Over the Spring term, Manchester Camerata, an orchestra, have worked with Year 5 Yew. In January, members of the orchestra visited the children and worked with them to compose their own song based around the Roald Dahl story of The Twits. Year 5's song was about Mr. Twit. Mrs. Dolman worked in school with the children rehearsing their song and a number of other songs ready for a concert with other schools from across Staffordshire.

In March, they took to the stage, at the Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford.  The children all had an amazing time performing their songs in front of a large audience of other schools.  What’s more – our children opened the show! Even though the children were very nervous and had never been on such a large stage at a theatre before,  they showed courage and resilience in what really was for them, going beyond their own normal. Well done 5 Yew, we are all proud of you.

Autumn Term 2021

We have had a busy first term of Music across the school. 

Nursery and Reception enjoyed joining in with Jolly Jingles in Autumn 1 and in Autumn 2 rehearsed and performed the Nativity. The performance was videod and sent to parents to enjoy.

In Year 1, we learned how to rap and sing 'Hey You' in Autumn 1 and performed a Christmas Song concert to the children at Victoria Road and we sent a video of our performance to parents.

Year 2 took part in Harvest festival, singing three songs and we enjoyed learning to sing and play Hands, Feet, Heart - South African Music.

Year 3 enjoyed taking part in a Virtual Song Concert for Christmas. Over 3,500 children took part online. In addition, in Autumn 1, year 3 learned to sing and play 'Let Your Spirit Fly.'

A singing coach from Music Share came to work with year 4 rehearsing songs for a schools performance at Abbot Beyne in September and October. Sadly, due to COVID, the concert had to be postponed. However in Autumn 2, we did enjoy studying ABBA and their songs and performing Mamma Mia to the year 4 teachers.

Year 5 learned to play a number of songs on the glockenspiel and studied Rock Music including the song 'Livin on a prayer.'

In Year 6, we learned to sing and play to 'Happy' by Pharell Williams. We also performed our Harvest songs to year 4 and 5.

Finally, SLC enjoyed rehearsing and performing their Christmas Sing A long as well as learning how to play notes on the glockenspiel.

Pupil voice.

Here's what some of our pupils think about Music at Victoria.

"I like doing Music, it makes me happy." Nursery child

"It is important to learn Music because you need to learn what families instruments go in and to show your passion for Music." Ismaeel Year 6

"It makes your brain feel happy and ready to learn." Arzu Year 3

"It is something you will enjoy and have fun with." Hadi Year 5

"It learns you about notes so you can play a tune." Speech and Language Unit child.

"Music can make people." Ivan Year 5