In music lessons the children are encouraged to listen and respond to a wide range of music.  They explore how sounds and silence can create different moods and effects.  Children perform by singing songs and using tuned and un-tuned instruments.  They explore their own ideas through composing and by using movement, language and art to express themselves.

Each class is also involved in a musical production each year.  In addition, all pupils in year 3 and 4 get the opportunity to learn to play the recorder  or junior saxophone through weekly lessons provided by an outside specialist teacher for free. Year 5/6 receive weekly lessons from a specialist music teacher, covering musical appreciation, singing, rhythm, playing and composing.

We run both KS1 and KS2 choirs.  These are highly successful, performing in local community groups as well as at school events and the annual School Music Concert.  The KS2 choir have performed at the O2 Arena in London and at the NEC in Birmingham at the Young Voices Festival.

DRAMA AND DANCE

Over the last few years, we have stepped up the drama opportunities we give to children at Paxcroft.  Each group of classes are involved in a musical play each year.  The Reception classes perform a Nativity but even these  productions have speaking parts and solo singing.

The older classes have been involved in more major and varied productions such as The Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, Bugsy Malone, Oliver and Aladdin.

It is lovely to see children blossom on stage and the benefits of this increased confidence spread to all aspects of their school life.