Intent

At Grange First School, we believe that music brings joy, confidence, and creativity to every child’s learning journey. Our music curriculum is designed to nurture happy, confident learners who enjoy expressing themselves and working together through music.

From the very start of school life, children are encouraged to explore the sounds around them and to develop a sense of rhythm, pitch, and musicality. Our curriculum inspires pupils to be determined to be the best they can be, building their skills, understanding, and appreciation of music as they progress through the school.

Music at Grange First School also promotes respect and kindness. Children learn to listen to each other, share ideas, and appreciate the many styles, traditions, and cultures that make music -such a powerful form of expression.

Through inclusive practice, every child is supported to participate fully and to experience the joy of making and responding to music, whatever their starting point or level of confidence.

Implementation

Music is taught across the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and 2 in line with the EYFS Curriculum and the National Curriculum for Music. Our teaching is practical, engaging, and inclusive - children learn by singing, moving, playing instruments, composing, and listening. Specific details of musical experiences can be found in our School Music Development Plan which links with this policy.

In the Early Years, pupils begin by exploring sounds through play, developing a sense of pulse, rhythm, and pitch through songs, actions, and musical games.

As pupils move through Key Stage 1 and 2, they develop key musical skills and knowledge progressively, focusing on core concepts such as:

• Pulse and rhythm – keeping a steady beat and recognising rhythmic patterns
• Pitch – understanding high and low sounds and using them in singing and instrumental work
• Dynamics and tempo – exploring loud and soft sounds and different speeds in music
• Timbre and texture – recognising the character of different instruments and how sounds combine
• Structure and form – understanding how music is organised and how sections build and repeat
• Notation – beginning to read and write simple musical symbols
• Listening and appraisal – developing the ability to discuss and respond thoughtfully to music

Children experience a wide variety of music from different times, places, and cultures, helping them to build cultural awareness and a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

We use specialist teachers, high-quality teaching resources and schemes that ensure progression from year to year. Teachers adapt lessons to meet the needs of all learners, including those with SEND or English as an additional language.

Performance is at the heart of our music curriculum. Children have many opportunities to sing and play in assemblies, class performances, concerts, and community events, building confidence, teamwork, and pride. Music also links with other areas of learning, including history, art, and English, enriching the wider curriculum and deepening understanding.

Impact

By the time children leave Grange First School at the end of Year 4, they will have a secure understanding of the key musical concepts - pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure, and notation - and be able to apply these creatively in their own music-making.

Our pupils will be confident singers, expressive performers, and imaginative composers. They will demonstrate determination as they practise and improve, and respect and kindness when performing and listening to others.

Most importantly, they will leave with a genuine love of music recognising its power to bring people together, to express emotions, and to enrich life.

At Grange First School, music helps every child to shine, to feel valued, and to experience the joy of learning in harmony with others.

Characteristics of a Musician

• Ability to create original and imaginative compositions

• Ability to perform confidently either independently or as part of a group to an audience. 

• Ability to listen to and critically evaluate different musical styles and genres.

• Excellent understanding of rhythm and ability to sing a range of music

• The ability to use musical terminology with understanding

• A passion for and commitment to a diverse range of musical activities.