Meet Mrs Phipps: Subject Lead for Music
‘Unlocking Potential Through Every Beat’
My name is Mrs Phipps and I am delighted to be Music Lead at Bardfield Academy.
Why I love Music
I have always loved music—whether it’s singing, playing instruments, or performing—and I am passionate about sharing that joy with our children. Music is a vital tool for the “whole child,” boosting brain power and math skills while providing a creative space to build confidence and reduce stress.
My Ambition for our School
My ambition is for every child to learn the skills needed to be a performer and musician. At our school, we believe every child deserves the chance to shine. We want every child at Bardfield to develop:
- Musicianship for All We believe that every child is a musician. From the first time a pupil explores the percussion instruments in Early Years to Year 6 where they might compose an original digital track, we ensure that musical talent is nurtured regardless of prior experience or background.
- The Power of Performance Confidence is built on the stage. We are committed to providing regular opportunities for children to perform—whether in small classroom circles, whole-school assemblies, or musical events outside of school—helping them develop the resilience and pride that comes from sharing their work.
- Critical Ears and Creative Minds Our curriculum explores different genres, musical eras, and cultures. We want our pupils to be “active listeners” who can analyse a piece of Mozart with the same curiosity as a modern pop song, using that knowledge to fuel their own creative compositions.
My goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to access these amazing benefits, allowing them to express themselves, take creative risks, and grow both academically and emotionally.
Mrs Phipps- Music Lead
Music at Bardfield Academy
Our Vision
At Bardfield Academy, we wholeheartedly believe that music is a catalyst for positivity, self-confidence, and a sense of community.
Our musical journey begins in the Early Years, where children are immersed in a sound-rich environment. Through a blend of child-led play and structured, adult-led activities, our youngest learners explore a variety of instruments and songs, building the foundational curiosity and rhythm needed for future success. As children move into Key Stage 1, our curriculum is progressive, ensuring that music is embedded into our everyday practice. We follow the Charanga scheme of work for Years 1–6, which provides a structured framework to develop the substantive knowledge of the core musical elements: pitch, rhythm, harmony, tempo, and dynamics.
Our vision is to develop the “whole person” by weaving together knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This is achieved through a spiral of key themes where pupils move beyond basic participation to a deep understanding and admiration of musical history and theory.
Our Approach
Our subject-specific pedagogy is rooted in active, hands-on learning. Music lessons at Bardfield are designed so that all children thrive, regardless of their starting point. A typical lesson is dynamic and multi-layered, focusing on a key songs or pieces of music across a range of musical periods and genres, incorporating the following disciplinary knowledge strands:
- Listen & Appraise: Developing a critical ear and using subject-specific vocabulary to describe musical styles.
- Improvise & Compose: Encouraging creative agency and original thought.
- Practice & Perform: Moving from the physical action of handling an instrument—such as recorder or glockenspiel —to the disciplined maintenance of a pulse. Providing opportunities for children to perform to each other, to staff and parents.
Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of every learner, utilising practical resources and high-quality instruments. We bridge the gap between the classroom and the stage through our Glee Club, specialist tuition (Rock Steady) and our annual ‘Bardfield’s Got Talent’ talent show, ensuring that musical expression is never confined to a desk.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to equip children with a lifelong toolkit of transferable skills. We prepare our pupils for further education and later life by fostering:
- Mathematical Precision: Understanding the fractions and ratios within rhythm and pulse.
- Collaboration: Working within ensembles to achieve a collective goal.
- Resilience and Confidence: Performing at prestigious venues like the O2 and Towngate Theatre gives children a real purpose and a professional audience.
Ultimately, we aim for our children to leave Bardfield with the cultural awareness and self-assurance necessary to pursue careers in the creative arts or simply carry a refined appreciation of music into their adult lives.
To explore our progressive music curriculum. Please look at the Key Knowledge document below.
Instrumental Lessons
Bardfield’s Got Talent
Making our own Instruments
Singing at the O2 as part of Young Voices
Whole Class Music lessons using Charanga
