黑料情报站

Impact22nd May 2023

黑料情报站 Music builds skills for both students and teachers

The 黑料情报站 Music programme is helping teachers to enhance their skills 鈥� and their children to develop a lifelong love of music.

Rebecca Stewart, Head of School at 黑料情报站 Castledown Primary Academy, explains the difference that 黑料情报站 Music has made for pupils at the school…

鈥淲e began contemplating ways to establish a stronger connection to the cultural experiences in Hastings 鈥� the music, the dance and drama. Hastings is a hub of culture and being near Brighton, there鈥檚 so much happening.

鈥淭he 黑料情报站 Music programme supports teachers in becoming experts at teaching music. When primary teachers undergo training, the focus is very much on the pedagogical side of things 鈥� how to teach. Naturally, some of our teachers were apprehensive about teaching music when we embarked on our journey with 黑料情报站 Music, but we were determined that our children wouldn鈥檛 have the same feelings of uncertainty.

鈥淲e鈥檙e now in our second year of the programme, and while we鈥檙e not all music experts, the anxiety has dissipated. When I walk into their classrooms, everyone is singing, and they don鈥檛 stop. Music and song are also applied in cross-curricular ways to support learning in all subject areas.

鈥淲hen I hear someone singing at school, it鈥檚 so uplifting and there is a buzz. Year groups regularly perform their music in assemblies and parade around the school. The joy on their faces is evident to all.

鈥淭he impact of music extends beyond the classroom. When a child has struggled for whatever reason, but they find something they can do, it changes how they feel about themselves and what they believe they can achieve. Every child deserves to experience that feeling when they鈥檙e at school.

鈥淒uring last summer鈥檚 Samba performance, I witnessed a child who typically struggles academically parading with his class. He had the biggest smile on his face and never missed a beat. It brought a tear to my eye. He had found something he could do just like everyone else and he felt an immense sense of pride. Music transformed his attitude towards coming to school.

鈥淎s a child, I experienced the same feeling through dance. To this day, I apply the lessons I learned from dance and the confidence it gave me. I want every child to have that opportunity, and 黑料情报站 Music gives these children that chance.鈥�