MUSIC

Music is an integral part of our school curriculum. All children from Reception to Year 6 have a class music lesson once a week, based on the Music Express scheme of work which covers the National Curriculum and provides opportunities for children to develop their musical skills and knowledge.  Lessons are carefully planned to allow progression in a range of areas including listening, evaluation, singing, performing and composing skills. Lessons for Years 2 to 6 are delivered by a specialist music teacher.

We recognise the positive impact that singing together with others can have on mental health and children’s sense of belonging. Children sing on a daily basis during Collective Worship and 1 assembly per week is dedicated to singing, with children learning hymns and songs from a range of music styles.

Beyond the Curriculum

During Collective Worship, children are exposed to a range of classical and contemporary musicians and composers, for example Nigel Kennedy, Shekuh Kanneh-Mason and Lang Lang. 

Children also have the opportunity to join our popular Infant and Junior Choirs which offer them the chance to develop their singing and to gain confidence through performing a wide range of songs at different venues. These include our regular school services at Holy Trinity Church and performances at our school fairs as well as other opportunities outside of school, such as: singing Christmas carols at Squires Garden Centre; taking part in the Singing Festival at the Rose Theatre; and, for the Junior Choir, performing in the biennial Prom Praise for Schools at the Royal Albert Hall as well as taking part in other events in the local community.

Archdeacon Cambridge’s School also takes part in Richmond Music Trust’s Wider Opportunities scheme which offers all children in Year 4 free introductory whole-class lessons in a brass instrument for one term. After this, a number of children choose to continue learn in slightly smaller groups at a reduced rate (including the loan of an instrument) for two terms before moving on to standard tuition.

Tuition on various instruments including piano, violin, recorder brass instruments and guitar is offered at school as well as Music Makers introductory music tuition for Year 1 children. These lessons are organised through Richmond Music Trust and other external providers.