Music Curriculum Lead
Mrs C Butterworth
Curriculum Intent
At St. John's, our intent is to provide a high-quality music education that engages and inspires pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians. Through the structured and progressive Charanga scheme, we aim to ensure that all children:
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Gain a firm understanding of music through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres.
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Develop self-confidence, creativity, imagination, and a sense of achievement through performance and composition.
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Learn the key musical elements (pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, structure, texture) in a way that is engaging and age-appropriate.
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Understand how music connects us to different cultures and communities, both past and present.
Our curriculum is designed to nurture musicality, curiosity, and an appreciation of music, supporting children to become reflective and expressive individuals. We aim to inspire our pupils to continue their musical journeys by fostering a lifelong love of music by exposing them to diverse musical experiences and igniting a passion for music. By listening and responding to different musical styles, finding their voices as singers, performers and composers, we hope they will become confident, reflective musicians.
Curriculum Implementation
To achieve our intent, we follow the Charanga Scheme (in partnership with Tees Valley Music Service), which provides a progressive and spiral music curriculum from EYFS to Year 6 which allows pupils to revisit and build on learning as they move through the year groups. Lessons follow an established, consistent structure, allowing pupils to develop their musical skills.
Music is also embedded into the culture of the school with whole-school hymn practices, assemblies and liturgical prayer, extra-curricular activities and peripatetic lessons.
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Weekly Music Lessons: All pupils from Reception to Year 6 receive dedicated music lessons using the Charanga scheme, ensuring progression in skills and knowledge.
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Musical Elements and Skills: Each lesson builds on prior knowledge, with a focus on listening and appraising, musical games, singing, playing instruments, improvisation, and composition.
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Interrelated Dimensions: Musical learning is based around the interrelated dimensions of music, allowing pupils to embed musical vocabulary and develop a broad understanding of musical concepts.
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Cross-Curricular Links: Music is enriched through links with other subjects, such as literacy, history, and PSHE, and enrichment opportunities enhancing children’s cultural capital.
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Extra-Curricular Music: Opportunities such as after school clubs, peripatetic instrument lessons, and participation in local music events or festivals further enrich the curriculum.
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Assessment: Ongoing formative assessment within Charanga is used to track progress and inform teaching. Children are encouraged to reflect on their learning and achievements in music.
Within the EYFS setting, music is an integral part of the children's learning journey. Rhyme and rhythm are utilised throughout the learning of phonics, handwriting and mathematics. Children learn a wide range of songs and rhymes and develop skills for performing together. Singing and music-making opportunities are used frequently to embed learning, develop musical awareness and to demonstrate how music can be used to express feelings. The Charanga programme of work is introduced during Reception before formally beginning in Year 1.
Being Imaginative and Expressive ELG:
- Invent, adapt and recount narratives and stories with peers and their teacher
- Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs
- Perform songs, rhymes, poems and stories with others and - when appropriate - try to move in time with music
Curriculum Impact
The impact of our music curriculum is evident in:
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Musical Progress: Pupils develop secure knowledge of musical vocabulary, skills, and understanding. They can confidently listen to, perform, and evaluate music.
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Confidence and Enjoyment: Children enjoy music lessons and look forward to performances. They demonstrate increased confidence, creativity, and expression.
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Inclusivity and Participation: All pupils engage in music lessons due to the accessible and adaptable nature of the Charanga scheme.
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Cultural Awareness: Pupils gain a greater understanding of the world through exposure to a wide range of music genres and traditions.
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Readiness for Secondary Music: Pupils leave primary school with a solid foundation in music, equipped with the skills and enthusiasm to continue their musical journey.
We measure impact through pupil voice, teacher assessments, learning walks, and participation rates in musical activities across the school.