Music Development Plan Summary:
Mayflower Community Academy & Nursery

 

Overview

Detail	Information
Academic year that this summary covers	2024-25
Date this summary was published	Sept 2024
Date this summary will be reviewed	July 2025
Name of the school music lead	Ryan Jenkins
Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different)
Name of local music hub	Plymouth Youth Music Service
Name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place)	Devon Music Hub

 

Part A: Curriculum Music

At Mayflower, music education is structured to foster both individual growth and cultural integration, rooted in the principles of the Kodály method. Each class receives a minimum of one hour of music instruction per week, with further opportunities for development through a dedicated online portal offering resources, tools, and modelled examples. This allows students to engage in spaced practice throughout the week.

Our curriculum emphasises the joy and accessibility of music, using the voice as the primary instrument. Aligned with Kodály’s philosophy, singing is viewed as the foundation of musicianship, fostering ‘inner hearing’—an essential skill for all musicians. Students begin by learning to sing before transitioning to other instruments, reinforcing that instruments are an extension of the natural ability to vocalise.

As part of our broader music curriculum, children have the opportunity to learn a range of musical instruments, including the voice, in a professional small group environment. This instrumental tuition complements their vocal training, allowing students to apply the skills they have learned through singing to their chosen instruments.

Throughout their time at Mayflower, students learn a carefully curated collection of songs that embody the specific musical elements outlined in the curriculum. Lessons are structured through three stages: prepare, present, and practice. This logical progression ensures that each new concept builds upon prior knowledge, promoting steady musical development.

In addition to technical skills, our music program encourages creativity, exploration, and reflection. Children are supported in self-evaluating their progress through video logs, performances, and discussions. This not only deepens their engagement but also enables them to document their learning journey.

Singing is central to our music education, and we provide opportunities for students to perform both within the school and the broader community. Through partnerships with local music hubs, community groups, and businesses, students gain valuable performance experience, contributing to their holistic development as musicians. Music is seen not only as a means of personal growth but as a powerful tool for cultural and social integration.

 

Part B: Co-Curricular Music

At Mayflower, we offer a wide range of co-curricular music activities to complement the in-class music curriculum, providing students with ample opportunities to further their musical development. Our co-curricular offerings include one-to-one, small-group, and large-group tuition for both voice and instruments. Thanks to our strategic partnership with Ford Primary, Plymouth Youth Music Service, staff expertise, our local hub and local funding, we provide subsidised tuition for cornet, clarinet, and voice at little to no cost to families. This initiative ensures that all children, regardless of financial background, can access high-quality music education.

Ensembles and Groups

Mayflower Academy boasts a vibrant array of ensembles for students to join outside of lesson time, catering to different interests and levels of experience:

• School Choir: MCA Children’s Choir: Our inclusive school choir welcomes all children from across the year groups. With nearly 70 members, the choir regularly performs at school and community events, giving students the chance to collaborate with local choirs in cameo performances. The choir is non-auditioned and free to join, ensuring it is accessible to all.
• MCA EarlyBirds: For students seeking to advance their vocal skills, we offer a smaller auditioned vocal group known as the MCA EarlyBirds. This group of 15 talented singers performs complex harmonies and participates in festivals and local events throughout the county. The MCA EarlyBirds work on a variety of material and perform in a range of settings, offering students an exciting opportunity to further their singing abilities.
• City of Sons: Youth Male Voice Choir: In partnership with the Plymouth Youth Music Service, we run a non-auditioned boys' choir. This free-to-attend choir encourages boys from across the school to explore their voices in a supportive environment, promoting inclusivity and participation. The group benefits from guidance and support from both the school and the local music hub.

Instrumental Tuition and Progression

Mayflower encourages students to explore instrumental tuition both within and outside the school. Alongside our in-school lessons for cornet and clarinet, several students take private instrumental tuition through external providers, including The Rock Project. These students are encouraged to share their progress during our weekly singing assemblies and in specially arranged concerts throughout the school year, fostering a sense of community and showcasing their developing talents.

In addition, we provide access to instrument loans through our partnership with local music organisations, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to practice and progress outside of school hours. Instrument practice and rehearsal spaces are also available for students who wish to practice individually or in groups, promoting independent learning and collaboration.

Performance and Community Engagement

Performance is central to our co-curricular music program at Mayflower. Students have regular opportunities to perform in school assemblies, local events, and music festivals. Each summer, the school hosts a Music and Arts Festival, bringing together musicians and artists from across the city to celebrate the arts. This festival provides a platform for our students to perform alongside professional musicians, enriching their experience and fostering a love of the arts.

Partnerships and External Support

Our co-curricular music program is greatly enhanced by partnerships with local organisations such as the Plymouth Youth Music Service and local music hubs. These collaborations allow us to provide high-quality music tuition at little to no cost for families and ensure that our students can participate in a wide variety of performances and events throughout the year.

In summary, Mayflower is committed to making music accessible and enjoyable for all students through a rich co-curricular offering, underpinned by strong partnerships and a focus on inclusivity and personal growth.

 

Part C: Musical Experiences

At Mayflower, we offer a rich and varied program of musical experiences designed to inspire and engage students throughout the academic year. These experiences are carefully planned to provide opportunities for all students, from different year groups, to participate in music-making, performances, and concerts, both within the school and beyond.

Regular Events:

• Singing in Assembly: Weekly singing assemblies provide a platform for students from all year groups to come together and celebrate music. These assemblies are a key part of our musical program, where students not only sing together but also have the chance to perform individually or in small groups. Students who are receiving instrumental tuition, whether through the school or private lessons, are encouraged to share their progress by performing during these assemblies.
• School Concerts and Performances: Throughout the year, we hold a series of concerts and performances, including seasonal events such as the winter and summer concerts. These concerts involve students from across the school, with the school choir, the MCA Earlybirds vocal group, and the boys' choir all regularly performing. Instrumentalists who are learning the cornet, clarinet, or other instruments also have the opportunity to perform. These performances are open to all year groups, with participation based on involvement in the various ensembles or music tuition programs.
• Annual Music and Arts Festival: One of the highlights of the year is our summer Music and Arts Festival. This event brings together musicians and artists from across the city and offers students the chance to perform alongside professional musicians. The festival is open to all students, and both performers and audience members from the local community are invited to celebrate the arts. The festival is free for all participants, with support from local arts organisations and music hubs.

External Concerts and Shows:

• Community Performances: The school choir regularly participates in community concerts, making cameo appearances alongside local choirs. These performances take place throughout the year and give our students the chance to engage with the wider community while showcasing their talents. These events are free for students to participate in, and travel costs are subsidised by the school to ensure accessibility for all.
• MCA Earlybirds Performances: Our auditioned vocal group, the MCA Earlybirds, performs at festivals, local events, and across stages throughout the county. These performances offer a unique opportunity for students in the group to develop their skills in part-singing and harmony, working with a variety of material in different settings. Participation is open to students who are selected through auditions, and there are no additional costs for students to take part.
• Boys' Choir Events and Workshops: Run in partnership with the Plymouth Youth Music Service, the boys' choir is a non-auditioned group that performs at various events throughout the year. This choir is free to join and fully supported by the school and local music hub, ensuring that no student is excluded due to financial reasons.

Trips and External Musical Experiences:

• Concerts and Workshops: We plan regular trips for students to attend concerts and musical performances outside the school. These experiences allow students to witness professional musicianship and are often paired with workshops where students can engage directly with the artists. Thanks to our partnerships with local music organisations and music hubs, many of these trips are either fully subsidised or offered at a reduced cost, with free or reduced fees available for students eligible for pupil premium.

Participation and Audience Involvement:

Students across all year groups have the opportunity to participate in our music events, either as performers or audience members. Participation in performances is typically through involvement in the school choir, MCA Earlybirds, boys' choir, or instrumental tuition programs. However, we also encourage individual and group performances during assemblies and school concerts. Audience participation, whether for internal or external events, is open to all students, ensuring everyone has the chance to experience live music.

Charging and Subsidies:

We are committed to making all musical experiences accessible to every student. Performances and concerts within the school are free for students to participate in. For external trips and events, we strive to keep costs as low as possible. In many cases, events are subsidised by the school or through partnerships with local music organisations. For students from families eligible for pupil premium, additional financial support is available to cover event participation, travel, and associated costs.

Partnerships Supporting Musical Experiences:

Our music program is enriched by strong partnerships with local music hubs, choirs, music groups, the Plymouth Youth Music Service, and organisations such as The Rock Project. These collaborations allow us to offer high-quality musical experiences both in and out of school, and provide access to professional musicians, workshops, and performance opportunities across the county. These partnerships also ensure that our events, such as the boys' choir and instrumental tuition programs, remain free or highly subsidised for our students.

In summary, Mayflower offers a dynamic and inclusive program of musical experiences throughout the year. With regular performances, concerts, and external trips, our students have a wide range of opportunities to engage with music both as participants and as appreciative audience members.

 

In the Future

At Mayflower, we are committed to continuously improving and expanding our music provision to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality, enriching musical education. In line with the 7 features of high-quality music provision, we have several exciting future plans aimed at enhancing both our curriculum and co-curricular offerings in the coming years.

Curriculum Enhancements

1. Increasing Weekly Lesson Time We plan to further enhance our music curriculum by ensuring that every class receives a full hour of dedicated music instruction per week, every term. While we currently meet this target, we aim to expand the scope of these lessons by introducing more varied content that includes a greater focus on instrumental skills, music theory, and composition. This aligns with the feature of embedding regular music-making into the curriculum.

2. Introduction of New Instruments Building on our successful instrumental tuition for cornet and clarinet, we plan to introduce additional instruments over the next academic year. These could include strings and percussion instruments, providing students with a broader range of musical experiences. This will be supported by our partnerships with local music hubs and sister schools, ensuring we can continue offering these lessons at a subsidised or free cost. This will support the feature of providing breadth and depth in musical experiences.

3. Expanding Kodály-Based Learning As we continue to use the Kodály method as the foundation of our teaching, we plan to extend its integration into the early years and across all year groups, placing even more emphasis on developing musicianship through singing, body movement, and inner hearing. The aim is to strengthen musical progression through carefully structured stages of learning: prepare, present, and practice.

Co-Curricular Music Expansion

1. Expanding Access to Instrumental Tuition We plan to increase the number of students who have access to subsidised or free instrumental tuition by partnering with additional music services and securing more funding. Our goal is to offer more one-to-one and small-group tuition opportunities across a wider variety of instruments. By doing so, we will increase inclusivity and ensure more children can explore their musical potential without financial barriers.

2. Developing New Music Ensembles In addition to our current choir and vocal groups, we are looking to establish more instrumental ensembles, such as a school orchestra or band. This will allow students learning instruments to collaborate and perform together, fostering teamwork and musicianship. These ensembles will be open to all year groups and supported by our partnerships with local music hubs, ensuring that participation remains free or subsidised for eligible families.

3. Choir Development and Festival Participation Our successful choir programs, including the MCA Earlybirds and the boys' choir, will continue to grow. We plan to increase opportunities for these groups to perform at larger, more prestigious festivals and events both locally and regionally. We also aim to invite professional musicians and local music groups to collaborate with our students, providing mentorship and inspiration.

Musical Experiences and Performance Opportunities

1. Termly School Performances We plan to formalise a schedule of termly school performances, giving all students more regular opportunities to showcase their musical achievements. These performances will be open to parents, carers, and the wider community, reinforcing the importance of performance as a central element of high-quality music education. This aligns with the feature of regular opportunities to perform and make music collaboratively.

2. Expanding the Annual Music and Arts Festival Our annual Music and Arts Festival will be expanded to include workshops, masterclasses, and collaborative projects with local artists and musicians. We also plan to introduce competitions and awards as part of the festival to celebrate student achievement in music and the arts. This will further develop students’ confidence and engagement with the arts, while celebrating the school's connection with the local artistic community.

3. External Concerts and Cultural Visits We are committed to increasing the number of trips to external concerts, musical workshops, and cultural events. These trips will be planned each term, giving students regular exposure to professional performances and broadening their understanding of different musical genres and traditions. We aim to ensure that these experiences are free or heavily subsidised, particularly for students eligible for pupil premium, ensuring accessibility for all.

Conclusion

Our future plans reflect our dedication to ensuring that music education at Mayflower Community Academy & Nursery continues to meet the highest standards of excellence. By expanding our curriculum, offering more co-curricular opportunities, and increasing the number of musical experiences both within and outside the school, we will provide all students with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive musically. Our commitment to inclusivity, community involvement, and excellence in music education will continue to guide our vision as we look to the future.