Music News
Music at Pennine Way Junior Academy
Pennine Way is fortunate to have a specialist music teacher, Mrs Haines, who delivers music to all classes in the school on a weekly basis. In addition to the class lessons all pupils take part in weekly singing assemblies which are also led by Mrs Haines.
Our Vision
Music is a universal language that encourages skills such as team work, creativity and a wider understanding of the cultures, past and present of the world. It is integral to all aspects of life at Pennine Way. It is our intent to give all pupils, regardless of their ability, a high-quality music education through the use of specialist teaching. Our Head of Music has spent a great deal of time developing a curriculum that is both relevant and exciting for all children, as well as being in line with the 2014 National Curriculum and 2020 New Model Music Curriculum.
The Music curriculum has been devised to ensure that each child will be given the opportunity to engage actively with, and develop their understanding of music-making in small and large groups. It is taught through singing and whole class instrumental teaching where pupils currently learnt to play the recorder in Years 3 and 4 and the electronic keyboard in Years 5 and 6, building on and extending the pupils’ musicianship skills learnt in Key Stage 1.
Throughout the year pupils also have the opportunity to develop their music skills by: exploring a wide range of music from different periods, genres and cultures; composing their own music using percussion instruments and the instruments they learn in class; and completing projects inspired by national initiatives like the BBC Ten Pieces and Sing Up.
Pennine Way offers a variety of music clubs for pupils to enjoy: School Choirs, School Ensembles (recorders and Rock Club) and Singstars choir.
We have a successful instrumental programme delivered by visiting specialist teachers. Pupils have the opportunity to learn the flute, clarinet, guitar, piano, singing and brass instruments.
Performing to others is an important part of the curriculum and our pupils’ musical development and each year group is given the opportunity to perform in our Lower School Christmas Performance (years 3 and 4), Year 5 Africa Performance and the Year 6 Leaver’s Play as well as school assemblies, the end of year Music Showcase and in the community.
Instrumental Lessons at Pennine Way
At Pennine Way we offer music lessons on brass, clarinet, flute, guitar, piano and singing which are delivered by specialist teachers.
These lessons can be individual (20 minutes) or in pairs.
Lessons take place at lunchtime, during the last lesson of the day and after school.
As a result of the lessons being taught by visiting teachers there is a cost attached to the lessons.
All pupils learning an instrument are encouraged to practise and play their instrument regularly between lessons to help them make progress.
All pupils receiving instrumental lessons have the opportunity to perform in an informal setting at our Musical Masterpiece concerts in the Summer Term.
If you are interested in music lessons at Pennine Way, please contact Mrs Haines ahaines@pennineway.derbyshire.sch.uk for more information.
Extra-Curricular Music Clubs
School Ensembles – Year 4 Recorders and Rock Club (selected children only).
School Choir – takes place on different days for Year 3, Year 4 and Upper School.
Singstars – this is our elite choir, consisting of no more than 20 children from across the school. Entrance to Singstars is by invitation only and the decision is made by our Head of Music, Mrs Haines, based on a pupil’s singing ability (assessed in class music lessons, not in an audition as this can be a stressful experience), commitment to the school choir and their attitude in music lessons.
For further details about Music at Pennine Way, please see the school’s Music Development plan, which can be found on the school policies page of our website: https://www.pennineway.derbyshire.sch.uk/key-information/policies
