Music
Intent
The National Curriculum for Music aims for all children to:
- perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions;
- learn to sing and use their voices expressively;
- create and compose music independently and with others;
- learn to play musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression;
- understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.
At Rowde Primary Academy, we believe that every child is a musician. Through our ambitious and engaging music curriculum, children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to become performers, composers and thoughtful listeners while fostering a lifelong appreciation of music.
Our curriculum introduces children to a rich and diverse range of musical styles, cultures, traditions and historical periods, helping them understand how music reflects communities, beliefs and identities across the world. As they progress, children develop the musical knowledge, vocabulary and technical skills needed to sing, perform, compose, improvise and evaluate music with increasing confidence and accuracy.
Music is woven throughout the life of our school. Through collective worship, performances, productions and celebrations, every child experiences the joy of making music together while developing confidence, resilience, creativity and teamwork. Rooted in our vision of Learn • Grow • Love, music enables children to express themselves, celebrate diversity and recognise the positive impact music has on wellbeing, faith, culture and community.
Implementation
Music is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum, supported by the Charanga English Model Music Curriculum, ensuring clear progression in musical knowledge and skills from Reception to Year 6.
Children develop as performers, composers and listeners through weekly lessons where they sing, play instruments, improvise, compose and appraise a wide range of music. Learning is built around the interrelated dimensions of music—pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and notation—which children revisit and apply throughout their primary education.
Music is a practical subject and every lesson provides opportunities to listen, perform, compose and reflect. Children are encouraged to think musically by analysing, improving and evaluating both their own work and the work of others. Through regular retrieval of previously learned knowledge, they make connections between concepts and develop increasing confidence, independence and musicality.
Our curriculum celebrates music from a wide range of cultures, genres and historical periods, helping children understand the significance of music across different communities and traditions. Wherever appropriate, meaningful links are made with other curriculum areas to deepen understanding and provide authentic contexts for learning.
Beyond classroom lessons, children further develop their musical talents through weekly singing assemblies, school performances, choir, specialist instrumental tuition and a range of wider musical opportunities. These experiences enable every child to experience the enjoyment of performing together while building confidence and a sense of belonging.
Impact
By the time children leave Rowde Primary Academy, they have developed the confidence, knowledge and skills to participate in music as performers, composers and listeners.
They perform with increasing confidence and expression, compose creatively, listen thoughtfully and evaluate music using appropriate musical vocabulary. They understand how music has shaped cultures, communities and historical events and appreciate the rich diversity of musical traditions from across the world.
Through music, children also develop creativity, resilience, collaboration, self-reflection and self-confidence. They understand that music is a powerful form of communication that can express emotions, celebrate identity and bring people together.
Assessment is ongoing throughout each unit. Teachers use observation, discussion, performance, composition and pupil reflection to assess children's understanding, identify next steps and ensure knowledge and skills build progressively over time.
At Rowde, we want every child to leave primary school with a genuine enjoyment of music and the confidence to continue their musical journey, whether as a performer, instrumentalist, composer or enthusiastic listener.
Music progression in knowledge and skillsMusic Vocabulary Progression
