Curriculum teaching

Part of Salford's Music & Performing Arts Service

The MAPAS curriculum support team consists of twelve full and part time specialists who support schools in the development of all aspects of the Primary music curriculum. Each member of the team has the opportunity to develop a specialism within the department and we are fortunate to have two advisory teachers, a composer in residence, several vocal specialists and an advanced skills teacher.

The work of the team encompasses many areas:

• To establish a curriculum framework for each Primary school based on individual needs  
• To develop the range and quality of musical experiences available to Salford pupils  
• To develop a bank of expert knowledge on a wide range of curriculum matters, including the use of music ICT
• To provide quality INSET on all aspects of the music curriculum, liaising with outside agencies where appropriate  
• To assist with the preparation for OFSTED Inspections. The team have experience of supporting many schools through successful music inspections
• To organise and direct concerts and music for special occasions  
• To help provide thematic workshops to support the curriculum and give children an experience of "live music" in their school
• To liaise with High School performing arts departments and provide opportunities  for enhancing the transition process.

The MAPAS curriculum support team work in schools on a daily basis and are highly valued by the schools.

Schools may request weekly sessions of a whole day (5 hours), morning (3 hours) or afternoon (2 hours).

Classroom based support

Support for class music teaching is offered throughout the Primary age range from Nursery up to Year 6 and to Special schools. This normally involves teaching a range of lessons to each age group and helping schools develop schemes of work in line with the requirements of the National Curriculum.

The curriculum team are presently working on a year 3 scheme of work suitable for schools wishing to become involved in Wider Opportunities. The year 6 scheme of work has also been redesigned, taking a cross curricular and integrated approach. Provision for Early Years sessions may be requested throughout the year.

General school support

Advice is provided on curriculum matters, including suggestions for the purchase of teaching materials and instruments, and assisting schools to adapt the QCA schemes of work for their own use.

The curriculum support team helps schools maintain an up-to-date awareness of curriculum development. Members of the team regularly attend training to develop skills and knowledge and the team has forged well-established links with regional and National Curriculum Forums to help share expertise. These forums include: SING UP, The North West Singing Partnership (NWSP), Sing for Pleasure (SfP) and The Voices Foundation. The team help formulate LEA policy documents with regard to music provision and draft responses to Government initiatives as appropriate.

MAPAS is currently involved in the SINGUP organisation, promoting singing activities in Primary and High Schools.

Pre-OFSTED support is provided to schools with help given to produce policy statements, OFSTED evidence and lesson planning.

Considerable support is given for school concerts and special assemblies. The curriculum support team plans and directs approximately 50 concerts each year.

Several schools employ members of the curriculum team to run their school choirs throughout the year or for special events.

INSET provision

The curriculum support team provides INSET on composition, National Curriculum requirements, literacy and music links, ICT software, the QCA music scheme and Early Years provision. MAPAS provides a wide range of training for school teachers through:

• LEA organised INSET
• School based advisory support  
• School based staff meetings and INSET

LEA organised INSET

The focus for this INSET at present is:

• Supporting teaching of the QCA schemes of work and the foundation level Musical Skills  
• Developing support for the use of ICT in music  
• Supporting the delivery of Jump Start to Singing
• The development of vocal skills
• Music in an integrated curriculum
• Inset for NQT's

Primary subject coordinators' meetings

These are held once a year at one primary school venue. The purpose of these meetings is to update colleagues about  

• MAPAS provision and developments  
• New curriculum materials  
• Items of topical interest such as, organisation and management of the school music curriculum and ICT  
• To provide a forum for sharing information between schools
• To update colleagues about:
  • MAPAS Inset
  • New Curriculum materials
  • Special events such as the Singing Day

School based advisory support

This is provided by MAPAS on behalf of the School Improvement Service during the school day by senior members of the curriculum support team. Advice can be given on any aspect of music curriculum provision including:

• How to organise music curriculum provision in school  
• Developing a school music policy
• Purchase of teaching materials, instruments and storage
• Using ICT to teach music
• Preparation for inspection
• Assessment in music

School based staff meetings and INSET

Topics for staff meetings and INSET are the product of discussion between the MAPAS curriculum team and school management teams. Training has been provided on:

• Singing in the National Curriculum
• Introducing QCA schemes of work
• Teaching the QCA schemes of work using links with various published schemes of work  
• Composition

N.B Schools are charged by MAPAS for the provision of school based INSET and staff meetings.

More information

For information regarding any aspects of Curriculum Support please contact either: Paul Trimble (Assistant Head of MAPAS) on 0161 778 0251, or Helen Whitehead (Head of Curriculum) on 0161 778 0254, or email mapas@salford.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 12 February 2010