All areas of our curriculum at Boldon School, is successfully adapted, designed and developed to be ambitious and meet the needs of all students. Each subject area develops their knowledge, skills and abilities to apply what they know and can do this with increasing fluency and independence.
Our teachers check pupils’ understanding systematically, identify misconceptions accurately and provide clear, direct feedback. They respond and adapt their teaching as necessary without unnecessarily elaborate or individualised approaches. This is to get the very best outcomes for our students whether they are SEND, disadvantaged or to challenge our higher ability students. This will ensure that students are ready for their next stage of education, employment or training to gain qualifications that allow them to go on to destinations that meet their interests and aspirations and the intention of their course of study.
How the music Curriculum supports our SEND students:
The Department for Education states, ‘Children and young people with SEND all have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children and young people of the same age. These children and young people may need extra or different help from that given to others.’
Boldon School is an inclusive school where every student is encouraged to develop a thirst for knowledge, to enjoy their curriculum and feel valued as a member of our school community. We are committed to the progress, inclusion and resilience of each student and support the learning journey that they require. Our curriculum is successfully adapted, designed or developed to be ambitious and meet the needs of pupils with SEND, developing their knowledge, skills and abilities to apply what they know and can do with increasing fluency and independence across all subject areas.
The music subject area implements many strategies to support SEND students. Often improvisation based approaches are used to support students with concentration issues. This allows them to enjoy the same resources as all students but without the pressure of memorisation. Students who struggle with fine motor skills can be offered strength and coordination techniques which will allow them to play instruments with more accuracy. Teachers will also provide repetition of instructions to ensure that students who struggle with processing can be given time to absorb musical instructions and patterns. Many of the world’s most famous musical artists have sensory limitations which have not encumbered their talent or success in such a competitive field. It is our mission to provide resources which can support our own students with sensory impairment, so that they too can reach their full potential.
How the music Curriculum supports our disadvantaged students:
The Secretary of State for Education set out the government’s national plan to support children and young people to reach their full potential, regardless of their backgrounds. With an overarching goal and aim of improving social mobility through education, and delivering better educational and career outcomes more evenly across England.
At Boldon School we have 50% of our students with high levels of deprivation, but strive to raise the attainment and aspirations of all students regardless of social background. We have a robust allocation system of pupil premium funding to obtain the most successful outcomes for our students and to narrow the gaps in attainment across all subject areas.
Disadvantaged students are supported in music through various strategies. The faculty offers music clubs, such as rock school, for all students free of charge. This allows participants to have access to all of the instruments within school, including drum kits, guitars and keyboards. Enthusiastic and passionate staff are on hand to impart their love of music to students of all backgrounds, whilst also encouraging students’ own musical preferences. The school show and talent contest are inclusive events where students can showcase their talents to a wider audience. We encourage those of all abilities to audition for these fantastic opportunities, with staff there to support at every step of the process.
How the music Curriculum supports our higher ability students:
HM Chief Inspector stated, If we are going to succeed as an economy and as a society, we have to make more of our most able young people. We need them to become the political, commercial and professional leaders of tomorrow.
At Boldon school we aim to nurture scholastic excellence through a challenging curriculum where the work given to students is demanding and matches the aims of the curriculum in being coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulatively sufficient knowledge. We recognise the need to stretch and challenge all students but especially our MAT and higher ability students to obtain maximum progress.
Higher ability students are supported through various strategies in the music curriculum. Many students will specialise in a particular instrument and will be able to access lessons for these within school. This targeted approach will allow these students to develop their musical skills, using the correct techniques for them personally. We aim to introduce different music styles to gifted students.This gives them the opportunity to appreciate various genres, and potentially exposes exceptional learners to other styles that can truly inspire them. Giving gifted musicians the chance to perform on a regular basis, whether that be to a small or large audience, will allow them to develop their confidence and professionalism. We strive to involve parents and guardians as much as possible in this, inviting them into school to see the true talents of our students.