MUSIC CURRICULUM

Our Vision for Music

At St. Mary’s CE Primary, music is a vital part of our curriculum and school life. Our vision is to enable children to gain an understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres through our use of Charanga.  Throughout Music, we also ensure that our Christian Vision and Core values; Love, Equality, Hope and Forgiveness, shape St Mary’s music intent. Our Vision and Values have a strong bearing on our curriculum design as they help us to ensure that our provision meets the academic and spiritual needs of all our learners. We want the children to develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the importance of all types of music, and a respect for the role of how music is expressed in any person’s life. We want to ensure that children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community and to help to develop their confidence in using musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts. 

We believe that every child has the right to experience the joy of music — to listen, perform, compose and express themselves creatively.

Through singing, playing, composing and performing, pupils develop confidence, discipline, and collaboration. Music supports emotional well-being, communication and community identity, reflecting our belief that creative expression is fundamental to a well-rounded education.

Our curriculum, delivered through Charanga, provides all pupils with access to high-quality musical experiences, enabling them to progress in technical skills, knowledge, and musical understanding.

Curriculum Intent

Our music curriculum aims to:

  • Ensure every child experiences performing, listening, composing and appraising across a diverse range of musical styles and cultures.
  • Build progressive musical knowledge in rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, structure and notation.
  • Foster confidence, creativity and cultural awareness through active engagement in music-making.
  • Encourage participation and enjoyment for all learners, reflecting the Curriculum and Assessment Review 2025 emphasis on equity, access and creativity.
  • Enable pupils to express identity and emotion through music, developing resilience, teamwork and empathy.
  • Promote inclusion through scaffolded resources, flexible grouping and adaptive approaches that allow every pupil to participate fully — regardless of ability or prior experience.

The Charanga Musical School Scheme is our core planning framework. It provides a sequenced, spiral curriculum from EYFS to Year 6, ensuring knowledge and skills are revisited and deepened over time. Each unit combines listening and appraising, singing, improvising, composing and performing, with clear vocabulary and assessment milestones.

 

Curriculum Implementation

Music is taught weekly across all year groups, with opportunities for enrichment and performance woven throughout the school year.

Our curriculum structure follows Charanga’s progressive model:

  • EYFS: Pupils explore sound, rhythm and movement through songs, stories and play. They begin to distinguish sounds and respond expressively through movement and voice.
  • KS1: Pupils learn to sing in tune, explore pulse and rhythm, and use percussion instruments. They experience a variety of musical genres and begin reading simple notation.
  • Lower KS2: Pupils expand their understanding of musical structure and composition. They learn to play tuned instruments (e.g. glockenspiels and recorders) and perform in groups.
  • Upper KS2: Pupils develop fluency in performance, refine ensemble skills, and compose using notation and digital tools. They explore global traditions and the impact of music on society.

Teaching approach:


1️⃣ Listen and appraise — exploring style, genre and purpose.
2️⃣ Internalise and imitate — through singing, clapping, or body percussion.
3️⃣ Play and compose — applying musical elements practically.
4️⃣ Perform and evaluate — sharing and reflecting on musical outcomes.

Resources and Approaches:

  • Charanga digital platform provides interactive teaching tools, progressive assessment materials and resources for home learning.
  • Pupils use tuned and untuned percussion, voice and digital music software to explore composition.
  • Teachers integrate musical vocabulary (pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture) into every lesson.
  • Inclusion: Charanga’s differentiated tracks and visual supports ensure all pupils, including those with SEND or EAL, access and enjoy music.

Enrichment and Partnerships:

  • Whole-school performances: seasonal concerts – EYFS Nativity, KS1 Nativity and Year 6 Leaver’s Performance, assemblies and productions.
  • Instrumental lessons: keyboard and Ukulele delivered by a peripatetic teacher.
  • Choir and recorder club: open to pupils across KS1 and 2, performing at school and community events.
  • Collaborations: participation in local Music Hub initiatives and where possible singing events.
  • Digital integration: using Yumu (Charanga’s home platform) for practice and independent exploration.

Curriculum Impact

We evaluate the success of our music curriculum through:

  • Pupil voice demonstrating enjoyment, understanding and confidence in musical language.
  • Observations and performance evidence showing progressive skill development and creativity.
  • Charanga’s formative and summative assessments, tracking progress across musical strands.  Summative assessment is recorded on Insight.
  • Performances, assemblies and recordings showcasing practical achievement.
  • Teacher reflections and moderation to ensure consistent standards via Learning Walks.
  • Annual curriculum review identifying strengths and next steps for improvement.

 

Music assessment is ongoing and is used to inform teachers planning, lesson activities and differentiation. Summative assessment is completed at the end of each half term to inform leaders of the improvements or skills that still need to be embedded. The scheme allows children to embed music knowledge through a very structured approach. . Music is monitored throughout all year groups using pupil voice questionnaires and Learning Walks.

 

Pupils leave St. Mary’s CE School with an appreciation of different musical genres and the skills and confidence to recognise themselves as a musician, enabling them to succeed in their secondary education and to be able to enjoy and appreciate music throughout their lives.

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils perform with some confidence, begin to understand musical notation, and appreciate a wide range of musical styles. They leave St. Mary’s with a lifelong enjoyment of music and the ability to express themselves through it.

 

How Parents and Carers Can Support Learning

  • Encourage your child to share and perform songs learned in school.
  • Listen to different styles of music together and discuss what you hear.
  • Attend school concerts and community performances.
  • Encourage home practice using Charanga’s Yumu login platform.
  • Explore musical instruments, apps or online rhythm games together.

Recommended home links:

Further Information and Useful Documents

For further information about our music curriculum, please contact our Music Lead, Mrs Neal, via our school email address info@st-marys-cadishead.salford.sch.uk 

Curriculum Overview Years 1 - 6 

Music Curriculum Mapping Years 1 - 6

Music Skills Progression Years 1 - 6 

Music Progression of Knowledge, Skills and Elements Y1 - 6 

Music Vocabulary Y1 - 6 

Music Glossary

EYFS Leader: Mrs Julie Neal
Last reviewed: November 2025
Next review: September 2026