While musical activity often occurs spontaneously and is enjoyed by teachers and pupils in a myriad of ways, effective planning is the cornerstone of the implementation of a broad and balanced music curriculum in the school. As in other subject areas, the benefits accruing from developing a school plan in music extend beyond the subject itself, improving learning for the child and creating a more effective organisation in the school.
Planning for music should be a collaborative and consultative process involving the principal, the teachers and, where appropriate, the parents and the board of management. It should be set out after considering the nature of the subject matter, the values and traditions of the school community, what the child is expected to learn, what the teacher is expected to teach, and how the school can support its implementation. Finally, the school plan should address the extent and method of assessment and evaluation of music in the school.
This section examines two aspects of the planning process: