HOT OFF THE PRESS. Fresh analysis - straight out of September 2018/19! A detailed comparative analysis of the “quality of teaching, learning and assessment” sections of 4 ‘Outstanding’ Primary School OfSTED reports from across the country. Important to note: This report is for teachers looking for help with planning, preparation and assessment, or fresh ideas for quality provision. It is a report that clearly shows OfSTED’s steer towards a curriculum design focus in the near future. The report states the information that is already within the 4 ‘Outstanding’ OfSTED reports. The report organises the common themes, topics and details within topics so that the trends are clear to see. The report may help you sleep… it may not. But I hope it helps! Also important to note: I am a qualified primary school teacher. When did I find the time to do THIS?! I hear you ask… No boyfriend or children. Haha.

Vocals and Piano Score arr. by Cat O’Connor (2018) Ideal for beginners piano - features held chords under the vocal melody, with one minor arpeggio at the end. The vocal melody (including lyrics) is useful for a student who is learning to sing and play at the same time.

Here, I have composed two 8-bar songs in the key of G major for beginners to practise being in the key of G. Finger numbers included! The first one, ‘Happy Song in G’ is in 4/4 timing and features simple crotchet, minim and quaver rhythms. The second one, ‘Lullaby in G’ is in 6/8 timing and again, features simple rhythms and a fun arpeggiated pattern near the end using both hands. GREAT FOR: Adult beginners Children who are developing their technique and awareness of key signatures and time signatures Grade 3 piano sight reading Pre-grade 1/grade 1 level students who like to learn 8-bar ditties ORIGINAL WORK NOT FOR RESALE

Piano Score arr. by Cat O’Connor (2020) Ideal for beginners piano - features bass root notes and power chords under the vocal melody. The vocal melody (including lyrics) is useful for a student who is learning to sing and play at the same time. The fingering is inserted and the transitions between sections have been carefully thought about for ease of playing. The sections are clearly marked so that the student is aware of the song’s structure.

A fun way to introduce the beginner to accidentals. If they are working at Grade 1 standard, or between grades 1 and 2 and need something fun to learn, then this is for them!

This is an arrangement that I made in the original key of Sign of the Times. It has lyrics underneath the melody line, that the right hand plays. Ideal for young people wanting to learn pop music on the piano.

The Solfa scale is a universally acknowledged system for understanding the Western Major Scale in music. Each pitch has a different mono-syllabic name - these are in order and colour-coded. IDEAS: Laminate, hole punch in a corner and put on keyrings for children to flick through. Play musical bingo! Laminate and have a sorting activity for the order of the names (same order as the rainbow colours) Have a matching activity - matching the notes on the stave to the name order of the cards. Laminate the stave, put it on the wall and laminate and velcro-dot the cards for an interactive music display! Make into flashcards for a teacher-led activity (a lot like phonics flashcards but they sing ‘do’ when they say ‘do’ etc. Model the sound for them to sing back and use a keyboard to check.) Have the laminated cards in with your musical resources box for children to access during the day, along with laminated staves and whiteboard pens for them to practise.