Primary Music Magazine
Issue 3.0 Autumn 2018
A Musical Learning Journey How one school in the Channel Islands has prioritized music as part of their whole school development plan.
by Heather Paul At St John’s School in Jersey we are passionate about ensuring that we deliver a varied and broad curriculum that is enriching and enabling our children to become the best they can be. At the heart of our values, is the creative curriculum and we are always ensuring that we are constantly reflecting on our practice to provide the best opportunities we can offer. As a school we had prioritised music development. As Music Coordinator, I contacted the Music Development team at Jersey Music Service, who came to visit, reviewed our school and together we were able to identify the ways forward specific to our vision and core values. We have an incredibly supportive and talented team of Teachers and support staff, who will always give things a go (including learning instruments.) Music has always been delivered, however after speaking with staff; I found 6
out that they wanted a consistent resource to deliver the curriculum. Jersey Music Service funded the Charanga music scheme, which enabled the children to have progression of skills throughout the school and the teachers to have a scheme that was easy to use.
As a musician, I know the value and benefits in learning an instrument.
I knew this was an area that I wanted to make accessible to as many children as possible.
