Music
Intent
The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music
- Be taught to sing, create and compose music
- Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated.
At Brandesburton Primary School our music curriculum is designed to ensure that children develop a deep and lasting understanding of music through active engagement in listening, singing, playing, composing, and evaluating. Pupils will explore a rich and diverse range of historical styles, genres, and cultural traditions, fostering curiosity and broadening their musical awareness. We aim to nurture an appreciation of music’s significance, helping children recognise its value both personally and within the wider community.
Through high-quality musical experiences, children will build confidence in their skills, knowledge, and creativity, enabling them to express themselves and connect with others. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils understand the role music plays in different cultures and contexts, and are inspired to participate in music-making beyond the classroom. By equipping them with the tools to engage meaningfully with music, we empower children to apply their learning in a variety of settings and to develop a lifelong relationship with the subject.
Implementation
The music curriculum ensures that pupils sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate as part of a rich and engaging programme of learning. These skills are embedded through classroom lessons as well as wider opportunities such as singing in assembly, concerts, performances, our school choir, instrumental tuition and participation in musical ensembles. This approach allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment while experiencing music as both individuals and as part of a community.
In Year 3, children join other schools in the Big Sing at Bridlington and our Year 4 children perform with The Royal Opera, together with other schools.
In lessons, pupils are taught the key elements of music and are given the language to discuss, analyse and evaluate what they hear and create. They explore how music is constructed, performed and appreciated across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, genres and cultural traditions. This broad exposure encourages curiosity and helps children to recognise the importance and relevance of music in the wider world.
Composition is an integral part of the curriculum, with pupils creating their own music using instruments, voices and body percussion. They explore different dimensions of music, which strengthens their listening, performing and evaluating skills. Opportunities to experiment and create without the complexity of instruments, such as through vocal and body percussion work, ensure all children can access and succeed in music-making.
The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge and skills progressively, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding over time. Through a wide range of musical experiences, children develop an appreciation of music’s value and are encouraged to use their musical skills, knowledge and experiences in a variety of contexts, both within school and in the wider community.
Impact
Through a broad and engaging music curriculum, pupils are given opportunities to explore and develop their musical interests. They are encouraged to extend their involvement beyond the classroom by joining the school choir or accessing additional instrumental lessons, enabling them to further their skills and enjoyment of music.
The curriculum supports the development of key personal and social skills, including achievement, self-confidence, collaboration, awareness of others and the ability to reflect on their own learning and progress.
Music also plays an important role in helping pupils understand culture and history. Through exposure to a wide range of musical traditions and genres, children gain insight into their own identities as well as those of others from diverse backgrounds around the world. As a result, pupils are able to appreciate and engage with music in a variety of ways, whether as listeners, performers or creators.
