The youngest children will represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through role play, stories and music. They will invent, adapt and recount narratives, taking advantage of performance opportunities in lessons and in showcases.

In Years 3 and 4, children will be practicing and developing their ideas for acting out stories. They will be introduced to improvisation, script work, musical theatre and will begin to explore language and intonation appropriate to a variety of roles. To develop performance skills and confidence, the children will take part in a collaborative showcase performance as well as peer performances during lessons.

In Years 5 and 6, children will learn how to structure simple scenes independently, making use of dialogue, improvisation and other dramatic techniques. Children will work in groups to create either a class performance designed for film, or a proper news report, whilst taking full consideration of the camera and the audience.

From Reception to Year 3, the children will develop their ability to move efficiently, effectively and safely. Through movement, children will expand their creativity and expressive abilities as well as an understanding of their bodies and the surrounding space. We will be exploring spatial awareness, and moving with increased control, coordination and confidence.

We will identify different genres in Dance such as jazz, ballet, street dance or mime as well as Dance from different cultures: Ireland, Greece, Switzerland, America, Scotland etc.

During the term, the children will take part and dance in a performance providing an excellent opportunity to show their work to an audience and gain confidence in performing.

From Year 4 onwards, children will get the chance to be active and find their own groove to music from around the world. We break down the steps, add games, activities and cultural exploration elements into the class structure. Gradually, the pupils will feel comfortable in their own bodies and move freely. We will break down dance steps, isolate body parts so they can start composing their own dance. They will learn to create choreographies as a team as well as self-expression through dance (dance battles/games/dance circles).  They will perform throughout the year on stage or as flashmobs given the opportunity.

In Reception, pupils will discover elements of music such as pitch, dynamics and timbre through songs and musical games, based on a Kodaly approach to music lessons. Pupils will work towards using their voice confidently on their own and in a group, and explore the sounds that can be created with classroom percussion instruments. They will also listen to music in a wide range of styles, and explore some movement to music

Years 1 and 2 will use basic notation forms to perform and compose simple tunes on ocarinas or recorders, working towards being able to perform a range of pieces. They will also listen to music from a wide range of styles, and explore movement to music.

From Year 4 to Year 6, we will focus on different instruments: JSax, ukulele and keyboard. The pupils will develop a deeper understanding of pitch, notation, rhythm, dynamics, as well as the roles of accompanying instruments in an ensemble, working towards composing and improvising their own melodies.

This will be supplemented by expressive singing as well as listening to and appraising music in a wide range of styles.

Extra- curricular

Music at GES has been growing at an exciting rate in recent years and we are now proud to offer lessons with our visiting music teachers in a diverse range of instruments. Options include piano, violin, viola, cello, saxophone, flute, recorder, clarinet, guitar (classical, jazz or “sing and strum”), drumming and singing. The music lessons take place weekly, usually for 30 minutes, and are rotated each week.

If you wish to enquire further about music lessons at GES, please do not hesitate to contact Lucie Goater, our Music Administrator, at [email protected]