Music

Music Curriculum Intent

Our music curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ understanding and enjoyment of music through listening, singing, playing, composing and appraising across a wide range of musical styles, genres and traditions. Pupils are encouraged to explore how music is created, performed and experienced, and to develop an appreciation of the role music plays in different cultures and communities. The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build secure musical knowledge and skills over time. Through regular opportunities to sing, play instruments and listen to music, pupils develop their understanding of musical elements such as rhythm, pitch, tempo and dynamics. Key musical skills and vocabulary are revisited through intelligent repetition to support confidence, accuracy and progression.

Strong foundations are established in the early years through singing, movement and listening, helping children to develop a sense of pulse, rhythm and pitch. As pupils move through the school, they are supported to develop increasing control, expression and confidence in making and responding to music.

Our music curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, designed to be accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND and those who may face barriers to learning. By the end of primary school, pupils will have developed a secure understanding of musical elements, the confidence to perform and create music, and an appreciation of the value and importance of music in their own lives and in the wider world.

Music Subject Overview

The music subject overview shows how key musical knowledge and skills are organised and revisited across each year group to support progression and retention over time.

How Music is Taught

Music is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds pupils’ musical knowledge and skills progressively over time. New learning is explicitly linked to prior experiences so that pupils develop increasing confidence and understanding in listening, performing and creating music. Lessons provide regular opportunities for pupils to sing, listen to and respond to music, play instruments and compose. Musical elements such as rhythm, pitch, tempo and dynamics are taught explicitly and revisited so that pupils develop a secure musical vocabulary and understanding.

Pupils are supported to listen attentively, evaluate music and reflect on their own and others’ performances. Music is taught in a practical and inclusive way, allowing pupils to develop control, expression and enjoyment as they progress through the school.

In the early years, children develop musical foundations through singing, movement and listening activities, helping them to develop a sense of pulse, rhythm and pitch. As pupils move through the school, they build increasing independence and confidence in making and responding to music.

Adaptive Teaching

Our music curriculum is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND and those who may face barriers to learning. Adaptations are made through high-quality teaching so that all pupils can access and enjoy the same musical experiences. Musical learning is carefully structured and supported through the use of visual cues, modelling and repetition. Rhythm and musical patterns may be supported through visual representations, gestures and body percussion before pupils move on to playing instruments. Musical pieces are broken into short, manageable phrases and revisited regularly to support confidence and success.

Where appropriate, pupils are supported through thoughtful organisation of musical activities, such as clear ensemble roles, supportive seating arrangements and the use of quieter or sensory-friendly instruments. Adults use gesture cues to support tempo, dynamics and changes within music, helping pupils to participate confidently. Pupils are given appropriate ways to demonstrate their understanding of music, including verbal reflection rather than written evaluation where this supports access. These adaptations ensure that all pupils can participate fully and develop musical skills and understanding over time.

Impact

The impact of our music curriculum is that pupils develop a secure understanding of key musical elements and the confidence to participate in a range of musical activities. Pupils can listen attentively to music, talk about what they hear using appropriate musical vocabulary and apply their understanding when singing, playing instruments and composing. They demonstrate increasing control, expression and awareness of how music is created and performed. By the end of primary school, pupils have developed the confidence to perform and create music, an appreciation of a wide range of musical styles and an understanding of the value of music in their own lives and in the wider community.

Music Development Plan

All schools are encouraged to have a music development plan, as set out in the national plan for music education.

Schools are asked to publish a summary of their music development plan on their website in order to:

• raise awareness of their music development plan
• promote the school music offer to parents and prospective parents
• give greater opportunity for schools and music hubs to work together

Our music development plan is attached below and further information about our music curriculum is available above.