Music

Music is an important part of Prep School life with both curriculum and extra-curricular music overseen by our own Director of Music. Each class across all year groups receives two Music lessons per week within the curriculum and there is a strong ‘music for all’ philosophy running throughout the school.

All pupils learn through the Kodaly method which helps them develop an understanding of the elements of music through games and songs. They develop their inner ear so that they can hear music clearly and accurately in their minds.

All year groups enhance their inner ear vocal work through the use of instruments. In Reception, pupils use percussion and differentiate between rhythm and beat, Year 1 use chime bars, Year 2 learn to play the sopranino recorder, Year 3 enjoy the violin, Year 4 sound the cornets out loud and Year 5 gently play flutes and fifes. In Year 6 pupils combine their instrumental experience with a more in-depth study of chords to form a class band.

Classroom learning for all pupils is enhanced by the chance to perform music to an audience, with concerts and other events starting in Reception and running throughout the Prep School years to build the children’s confidence, skills and standards of performance as well as their enjoyment of music. Examples include the Carol Service, Christingle and the Pre-Prep nativity, Pre-Prep Concert, Gala Concert, Year 3/4 Musical, Year 5/6 Musical, Prep Evensong, Harvest and Founders’ Day services and Speech Day.