Intent

We believe that music is a universal language that enriches lives, builds confidence, and fosters creativity. Our music curriculum is designed to inspire a lifelong love of music in every child, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to express themselves musically. We aim to ensure that all pupils develop as musicians who can listen critically, compose creatively, and perform confidently. Through a progressive and inclusive curriculum, we nurture musical talent and provide experiences that celebrate music in all its forms, enabling every child to discover the joy and power of making music.

Implementation

Our music curriculum is delivered through the Charanga Musical School scheme, which provides a comprehensive, structured approach to music education from Early Years through to Year 6. The scheme ensures progression in musical skills, including listening, composing, performing, and understanding musical notation and theory.

Key features of our music provision include:

• Charanga Musical School: Weekly music lessons follow the Charanga scheme, with each unit of work incorporating three core strands: listening and appraising, musical activities, and performing. Learning is built around the interrelated dimensions of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and notation), which are woven through all activities. Children experience a depth of learning through repetition and a spiral progression methodology, enabling mastery of musical concepts through diverse musical styles from different historical periods to the present day.
• Musical Activities: All learning is song-based and includes warm-up games that embed musical concepts, singing (which is at the heart of all musical learning), playing tuned and untuned percussion instruments (including glockenspiels), and opportunities for improvisation and composition. The scheme uses a sound-before-symbol approach, ensuring children develop practical musical skills before formal notation is introduced.
• Weekly Singing Assembly: Every week, the whole school comes together for a singing assembly where children learn new songs, develop their vocal technique, and experience the joy of communal music-making. This strengthens our school community and ensures singing is at the heart of school life.
• School Choir and Young Voices: Our thriving school choir provides pupils with the opportunity to develop their singing skills further and perform to audiences. The choir participates in the prestigious Young Voices concert at The O2 arena in London, giving children an unforgettable experience of performing alongside thousands of other young singers in a world-class venue.
• Instrumental Learning: Paid instrumental tuition is available from specialist teachers for those wishing to learn an instrument in greater depth, with lessons offered individually or in small groups across a range of instruments.

Impact

Our music curriculum ensures that children leave Holly Trees Primary School as confident, creative musicians with a genuine appreciation for music. Through the Charanga scheme's mastery approach, pupils develop secure, deep learning of musical skills and concepts through repetition and varied musical activities. They understand the interrelated dimensions of music and can apply these when listening, performing, composing, and improvising.

Children demonstrate strong technical skills in singing and playing instruments, with differentiated progression allowing each child to advance at their own pace. They can discuss music thoughtfully, recognising different styles, genres and traditions from various historical periods, and confidently compose and improvise their own musical ideas.

Pupils show enthusiasm and pride in their musical achievements, whether performing in class, singing in assembly, or taking part in high-profile events like Young Voices. The experience of performing at The O2 creates lasting memories and significantly boosts children's confidence and self-belief. Those who pursue instrumental tuition develop discipline, perseverance, and a sense of accomplishment.

Assessment through Charanga's framework allows us to track individual progress and ensure every child achieves their musical potential. Most importantly, our music provision nurtures a love of music that extends beyond the classroom, equipping children with skills and experiences that will enrich their lives for years to come.