Music

Welcome to Moor Hey Music

Music is a big part of life at Moor Hey School. Learners from Reception to Yr 9 get weekly Music lessons. All Children are offered the opportunity to test their performance skills. For Primary students this happens in the Christmas Nativity. Secondary pupils get to perform in the M-Factor. Moor Hey's version of the M-Factor.

We also have access to the Lancashire Music Service. This give us the chance to have live performers come into school. It also offers senior pupils the opportunity to have outside tuition on musical instruments, free of charge!

Scroll for pictures of a Lancashire Music Service Samba Drumming Session.

Our approach to music:

Intent:

At Moor Hey School, we aim to make music as enjoyable and exciting as possible for our pupils of all ages and abilities. We aim to incorporate music throughout the curriculum e.g. starting the primary science lessons with a topic related science song. We endeavour to give the pupils a wide range of opportunities to perform throughout the year.

Implementation:

We provide a broad and balanced curriculum based on The Lancashire Music Hub Scheme, Charanga for Primary, year 7 and 8. In year 9, the pupils follow the ASDAN Expressive Arts Award. We have visiting musicians in school whenever possible. All pupils sing in assembly once a week. The primary pupils perform a Nativity Play at Christmas and all the pupils are encouraged to take part in this. The senior pupils are given the opportunity to perform in the M Factor at Christmas. The pupils look forward to and practice for this all year! We also offer brass lessons to a small number of pupils. For the pupils who may be more reluctant with music, we use iPad apps and electric drum kits.

Impact:

The pupils gain a huge amount of confidence and self-esteem through the music lessons. Pupils who are initially too shy to join in, often can’t help themselves after a short time when they realise they aren’t going to be judged by ability. The music lessons are designed to be enjoyable and the majority of pupils really look forward to them. In the M Factor this year, the senior department are singing and signing “You’re the voice.”

Early Years Foundation Stage:

Some of our younger pupils are non-verbal. However, they still have a love of music and respond really well to the lessons. One of our non-verbal pupils can “sing” several songs which can be clearly recognised from the tune. The lessons across the curriculum incorporate a lot of songs and music.

Primary Department:

The music lessons in the primary department are mainly practical. The children are given the opportunity to play a wide range of tuned and untuned instruments and to sing a variety of songs. Glockenspiels are an important part of the curriculum. The Nativity Play is often a highlight of the year for the pupils.

Senior Department:

The curriculum in the senior department builds on what has been learned in primary. The pupils are also given the opportunity to learn to play recorders, keyboards and ocarinas. The ASDAN course in year 9 enables the pupils to gain credits towards their Personal Development Programme.

Semi-formal Curriculum:

Music forms an important part of the semi-formal curriculum. The pupils have 3 creative arts lessons a week and this incorporates music, dance, drama and art. The lessons are practical based and are developed to meet the needs of the pupils. The lessons have helped the pupils to gain confidence and they always look forward to them.