At Hethersett VC Primary School, we believe in a curriculum that is broad, balanced and valued across all subjects. Our Music curriculum inspires children to develop a love of music, explore their creativity and express themselves through performance, listening, composition and improvisation.

We value music because it is powerful, expressive and transformative. Music influences how children feel, think and act, and we believe every child should have the opportunity to develop their musical skills, creativity and confidence. Through a rich range of musical experiences, pupils learn to appreciate music as both an art form and a means of communication.

Our curriculum is designed to:

• Recognise prior learning, provide first-hand experiences and build resilience
• Develop creativity, collaboration and self-expression
• Promote purposeful learning, enjoyable experiences and coherent progression
• Foster confidence, curiosity and a lifelong appreciation of music

We use the Kapow Primary Music curriculum to deliver engaging, progressive and inspiring lessons. The curriculum develops pupils' musical knowledge and skills through listening, singing, performing, composing and evaluating, ensuring every child can participate and succeed regardless of their previous musical experience.

Every child is seen as unique, valued and celebrated within our school community. Through Music, pupils are encouraged to express themselves creatively, work collaboratively and develop confidence through performance and reflection.

Our Christian values of wisdom, friendship, compassion, truthfulness and responsibility help children understand how music brings people together, celebrates different cultures and enriches communities.

Our Curriculum Approach

Music forms part of our carefully planned foundation curriculum, which is structured around termly themes and three overarching concepts:

• Systems – understanding how musical elements work together to create and organise sound
• Connection – recognising how music connects people, cultures, emotions and experiences
• Change – exploring how music develops, evolves and reflects different times and societies

These concepts are revisited throughout pupils' time at Hethersett, enabling them to build understanding over time. Learning begins with simple exploration of sound, rhythm and singing in the early years before developing into increasingly sophisticated listening, performing, composing and analytical skills by the end of Key Stage 2.

Music is taught as a discrete subject through the Kapow curriculum, ensuring pupils develop secure musical knowledge, vocabulary and practical skills. Where appropriate, teachers draw attention to meaningful links with the wider curriculum theme, helping pupils make connections across their learning whilst maintaining the integrity of the subject.

Intent

At Hethersett VC Primary School, we aim to inspire pupils to become confident, creative and enthusiastic musicians.

Through our Music curriculum, pupils develop:

• A love and appreciation of music from different cultures, traditions and historical periods
• Confidence in singing, performing and expressing themselves musically
• An understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music, including pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure
• The ability to compose and improvise music creatively
• Skills in listening, appraising and evaluating music
• Musical vocabulary that enables them to discuss and explain their understanding
• An appreciation of the role music plays in people's lives and communities

We want children to understand that music is both a creative art form and a form of communication that can express ideas, emotions and experiences.

Music also plays an important role in developing confidence, teamwork, resilience and self-esteem. Through performing, composing and collaborating with others, pupils learn to take risks, support one another and take pride in their achievements.

Implementation

Music is taught through the carefully structured Kapow Primary curriculum, which provides clear progression in both musical knowledge and practical skills from Reception to Year 6.

Children develop their musical understanding through five key strands:

• Listening and evaluating
• Creating sound
• Notation
• Improvising and composing
• Performing

Lessons provide opportunities for pupils to:

• Explore and create music
• Sing confidently and accurately
• Play tuned and untuned instruments
• Compose and improvise pieces of music
• Listen critically to a wide range of musical styles
• Develop an understanding of musical vocabulary and notation
• Perform individually and collaboratively

Throughout the curriculum, pupils explore how musical systems are created through rhythm, melody and structure, how music creates connections between cultures and communities, and how music changes over time in response to society, technology and artistic influences.

Children build their musical knowledge progressively, moving from simple patterns and rhythms to increasingly complex compositions, performances and evaluations. Musical vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited so that pupils can discuss their learning with confidence and accuracy.

Music at Hethersett extends beyond the classroom. Pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities to develop their musical interests and talents, including:

• Whole-class instrumental tuition in Year 4
• Additional instrumental and vocal opportunities where available
• Performances and concerts throughout the school year
• Cross-curricular experiences that enhance learning through music
• Opportunities to share and celebrate music with the wider school community

These experiences help children see themselves as musicians whilst developing confidence, creativity and a sense of achievement.

Impact

The impact of our Music curriculum is seen in pupils who are confident, creative and enthusiastic musicians.

Throughout lessons, teachers use formative assessment strategies including:

• Questioning and discussion
• Retrieval activities
• Observation of performance and participation
• Listening and appraisal activities
• Composition and improvisation tasks
• Self and peer evaluation

These approaches enable teachers to assess understanding, identify misconceptions and adapt teaching to support progress in both knowledge and practical skills.

Kapow's assessment materials also support teachers in evaluating how effectively pupils have secured key musical knowledge, vocabulary and skills over time.

By the time they leave Hethersett VC Primary School, pupils will:

• Have developed a secure understanding of key musical concepts and vocabulary
• Sing, perform and compose with increasing confidence
• Listen to and evaluate music thoughtfully and respectfully
• Understand how music reflects different cultures, traditions and historical periods
• Demonstrate creativity, resilience and self-expression through musical activities
• Appreciate the value of music as a form of communication and artistic expression
• Feel confident participating in musical experiences both in school and beyond
• Develop confidence, collaboration and performance skills that support lifelong learning
• Leave with a lifelong appreciation of music and the arts

Throughout their time at Hethersett, pupils enjoy a rich range of musical opportunities, performances and creative experiences that develop confidence, foster enjoyment and allow every child to experience the power of music. We aim to give music a high profile within school because we understand its unique ability to inspire creativity, strengthen relationships, build confidence and enrich children's lives.

Curriculum Map