Music Curriculum Statement

Intent

At Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School, we believe that music is a powerful and universal form of communication that enriches learners' lives, promotes creativity and supports emotional wellbeing. Music enables learners to express themselves, develop confidence and gain an appreciation of diverse cultures, traditions and historical periods.

In line with the National Curriculum, our Music curriculum aims to ensure that all learners:

• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music.
• Sing, create and compose music.
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.

Through a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, learners develop a secure understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music, including pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture and structure.

We aim for all learners to:

• Develop a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of music.
• Build confidence as performers, composers and listeners.
• Develop musical knowledge, skills and understanding through practical experiences.
• Explore and appreciate a wide range of musical styles, genres, traditions and cultures.
• Use musical vocabulary accurately when discussing, analysing and evaluating music.
• Develop creativity, resilience and self-expression through musical experiences.
• Understand the significance of music within different cultures and historical periods.
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with others through performance and composition.
• Develop confidence to engage with music both within and beyond school.

Through our carefully sequenced curriculum, learners will know more, remember more and be able to do more as they progress through school, developing the knowledge and skills needed to continue their musical journey beyond primary education.

Implementation

At Healey, Music is taught through a progressive curriculum that develops learners' knowledge, skills and understanding across the key areas of:

• Listening and Appraising
• Singing
• Playing Instruments
• Composing
• Improvising
• Performing

We use the Charanga Music Scheme to support curriculum delivery and ensure progression across all year groups. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build upon prior learning and enable learners to revisit, practise and refine musical knowledge and skills over time.

Learners engage with a diverse range of music from different historical periods, cultures, traditions and genres. Through listening and discussion, they develop critical listening skills and learn to recognise and discuss the musical elements that contribute to a piece of music.

Music is embedded throughout school life through:

• Classroom music lessons.
• Weekly singing assemblies.
• School performances and concerts.
• Musical enrichment opportunities.
• Instrumental tuition.
• Participation in musical ensembles and groups.

Practical music-making forms the foundation of learning. Learners are provided with opportunities to play a range of instruments and develop an understanding of how sounds are created, controlled and combined. They learn to perform both individually and as part of an ensemble, developing confidence, discipline and teamwork.

Learners explore instruments from the main instrument families, including:

• Percussion
• Strings
• Woodwind
• Keyboards

Through these experiences, learners develop an understanding of pitch, rhythm, notation and performance techniques.

Composition and improvisation are integral aspects of the curriculum. Learners are encouraged to experiment with sounds, create original pieces and make creative decisions using the musical elements they have studied. Body percussion, vocal work and instrumental composition enable learners to develop musical understanding in accessible and engaging ways.

Teachers use ongoing assessment, observation and performance opportunities to monitor progress and identify next steps in learning. Retrieval opportunities are incorporated into lessons to strengthen long-term retention of musical knowledge and skills.

The curriculum is designed to be fully inclusive, ensuring that all learners can access and succeed in music regardless of prior experience or ability.

Impact

The impact of our Music curriculum is evident in learners' confidence, creativity and enthusiasm for music.

As learners progress through school, they develop increasing musical knowledge, technical skills and confidence in performance. They become thoughtful listeners who can analyse and evaluate music using appropriate musical vocabulary and understanding.

By the end of Key Stage 2, learners will:

• Perform confidently both independently and as part of a group.
• Sing with increasing accuracy, control and expression.
• Compose and improvise using a range of musical elements.
• Demonstrate an understanding of key musical concepts and vocabulary.
• Listen critically and respond thoughtfully to a variety of musical styles and traditions.
• Appreciate the cultural and historical significance of music from different times and places.
• Show creativity, resilience and self-confidence through musical experiences.

Music contributes significantly to learners' personal development by fostering self-expression, emotional awareness, collaboration and respect for others. Through engagement with a diverse range of musical traditions, learners develop cultural understanding and appreciation of the rich musical heritage found within Britain and across the world.

Our learners leave Healey with a strong foundation of musical knowledge and skills, a love of music and the confidence to continue participating in and enjoying music throughout their lives.

The effectiveness of the Music curriculum is monitored through lesson visits, learner voice, assessment information, performances and curriculum reviews. These processes support continuous improvement and ensure that all learners receive a high-quality music education.

Music in the Early Years Foundation Stage

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, musical development is supported through the areas of Expressive Arts and Design and Communication and Language. Learners are encouraged to explore, experiment and respond to music through a wide range of engaging and practical experiences.

From an early age, learners are provided with opportunities to:

• Sing familiar songs and rhymes.
• Explore a variety of musical instruments.
• Experiment with sounds, rhythms and movement.
• Create their own music and melodies.
• Express thoughts, feelings and ideas through music.
• Listen and respond to different styles of music.

Through play-based learning and carefully planned adult-led experiences, learners develop early musical skills including listening, attention, rhythm, pulse, coordination and self-expression.

Music is woven throughout daily routines, celebrations and learning experiences, helping learners develop confidence, creativity and enjoyment. These early experiences provide strong foundations for future musical learning and encourage learners to become enthusiastic and expressive musicians as they move into Key Stage 1.

By the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage, learners have developed curiosity, confidence and enjoyment in music, providing a strong basis for future musical development.

The Lead Teacher for Music is Miss Jodrell Gregson.