Intent

At St. Mary’s, we believe that music is a gift from God that brings people together, nurtures the soul, and offers every child the opportunity to express themselves creatively and confidently.

Our music curriculum is designed to:

• Inspire a lifelong love of music through listening, performing, composing, and appraising

• Build pupils’ musical knowledge, vocabulary, and technical skills

• Develop children’s self-confidence, discipline, and creativity

• Celebrate music from a wide range of cultures, traditions, and historical periods, including the best of the musical canon

• Encourage children to recognise music as a universal language that connects communities and reflects the beauty of God’s creation

Rooted in our Christian ethos, music at St. Mary’s also helps pupils reflect spiritually, work collaboratively, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

Implementation

We follow the Charanga Music Scheme, which offers a progressive and inclusive music curriculum from Reception to Year 6.

Children:

• Engage in weekly music lessons that develop their understanding of pitch, rhythm, pulse, dynamics, and structure

• Explore a wide variety of musical styles, genres, and traditions

• Learn to play instruments, use notation, and compose their own music

• Take part in singing assemblies, school performances, and work with visiting musicians where possible

Music is enriched through collective worship, Christmas and Easter services, and special celebration events throughout the year.

Impact

By the time children leave St. Mary’s, they will:

• Have a secure understanding of musical elements, styles, and terminology

• Be able to listen with appreciation and respond with creativity

• Feel confident in performing and composing both individually and with others

• Recognise music as a gift to be shared, bringing joy and meaning to both school life and the wider world