Modern Foreign Languages and Music

Each separate subject here at St Mary's has a Lead teacher. In Mfl and in Music, the Lead teacher is called Mrs Amann. She brings a passion for her subjects and a great love of Languages and Music to the equation. Her sequence of work planned is systematic and engages children at all levels. She is rightfully, very proud of her progression and keen to share it with all who care to listen.

Each subject also has a Link Governor, who supports and monitors progress, in conjunction with guidance from the SLT. In the case of Modern Foreign Languages and Music. This is Mr Baker; an experienced  teacher who is supportive of the school.

Each class has its own class page, where homework, projects, home communications etc are publicised and shared on a very regular basis. Our class composers are shared on these pages, also and some activities linking to these are available periodically throughout the year, also.

Please bear with us as we are developing this new way of sharing with you, over time. Thank you.

Our Curriculum philosophy is below, showing why we do it the way we do it here at St Mary of the Angels.

 

MFL
 
We believe that learning a language is a key life skill, and that the younger children can be introduced to language learning, the more receptive they will be throughout their education. Learning languages involves important decoding and problem-solving skills, reinforces literacy in English and enhances children’s confidence in speaking aloud.  We believe it also helps to promote an understanding of, and respect for, cultures different to their own.
 
Music
 
At SMA, we believe that music is important because it can provide fulfilment throughout life. It is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. It transcends different cultures, abilities and generations.

 Listening to and making music fulfils an instinctive human need for self-expression and creativity. It stimulates responses on both emotional and intellectual levels. We believe experiencing music, in a wide variety of contexts, is of great benefit to the wellbeing and emotional maturity of our children. 

Besides being a creative and enjoyable activity, music can also be a highly academic and challenging subject, and we aim to provide the children with opportunities to explore their talents and learn musical skills. 

Musical activities include performing vocally or with instruments, exploring sounds and composing as well as listening and responding to music of different styles and cultures. All of these activities involve the musical elements of pitch, duration (rhythm), dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

Some Key Knowledge organisers are below. These help you to know what is being taught and when, for your child. Hopefully, they also give you a flavour of the type of vocabulary and the type of learning that will take place in each year for your child.

 

A flavour of our children's views are below, so that you can see that we listen to children and they empower us to help them become effective leaders. You can also hear that our methods are effective.

 

Here are some examples of children's work in MfL.

Our Long term overview is below. This helps to map out what is being covered and taught when and where across the school in MFL and Music, currently. It might also help you as parents to plan and link into the work we are covering and when.

 

Our Action Plan in MFL and Music is below

 

Our Policy in Mfl and Music is below

 

Our Music Development Plan is summarised below.
There are some photographs and videos below of the children experiencing musical opportunities in Music...Year 4 being visited by Forest Arts Music and the Christmas choir. 
 
 
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Our assessment methods are summarised here for you, with a working example of what actually happens within the classroom, for you to appreciate, also.

 

SMA Strategies to Remove Potential Barriers of Learning.
Through adaptive teaching strategies we aim to support all learners to access the Music and MFL Curriculum. 
Please see the document below for strategies used to address potential barriers.