Intent

At Edale Rise Primary and Nursery School, music plays an integral role in school life. Our curriculum is designed to develop a lifelong love of music and ensure every child feels that they are musical. Rooted in our vision of improving opportunities through knowledge, we enable pupils to become confident performers, composers and listeners.

Pupils’ knowledge, appreciation and musical skills are carefully developed from Nursery to Year 6. The curriculum introduces pupils to a diverse range of music from different cultures, traditions and historical periods, fostering respect and appreciation for the richness of global musical heritage. Alongside musical development, pupils build transferable skills such as teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and performance, preparing them for future learning and wider life.

Implementation

Music is taught through a progressive and inclusive curriculum built around key interconnected strands:

• Performing
• Listening
• Composing
• The history of music
• The interrelated dimensions of music (pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and duration)

Learning is sequenced through a spiral curriculum, where knowledge and skills are revisited and developed over time. Lessons are practical, engaging and varied, incorporating singing, instrument playing, improvisation, movement and discussion.

Pupils have access to a wide range of tuned and untuned instruments, alongside ICT-based programmes that allow them to explore and create music using virtual instruments. All pupils learn to play instruments as part of their classroom experience, and enrichment opportunities further enhance provision. In Year 4, pupils take part in the Wider Opportunities Scheme, learning a stringed instrument through weekly whole-class lessons with the Nottingham Music Hub. Many pupils continue this learning into Years 5 and 6, while those with particular aptitude can access additional instrumental tuition, including keyboard lessons.

Singing assemblies take place on Thursday mornings in alternate half-terms. Opportunities to perform are embedded throughout the year, including concerts, productions and community events. Pupils can also join the school choir, developing confidence and teamwork through collective performance.

Music is further enriched through cross-curricular links, where topics incorporate music from a range of cultures, and through assemblies where pupils regularly experience and reflect on different musical genres. Music is also used to celebrate key events and festivals, including cultural and religious occasions, reinforcing its importance within the life of the school.

Impact

Through our Music curriculum, pupils develop confidence, creativity and a strong understanding of musical concepts. They are able to perform, compose and respond to music with increasing control and expression, while developing the language needed to discuss and evaluate their learning.

Assessment is both formative and summative, enabling teachers to track progress, support all learners and ensure strong outcomes. Pupils regularly perform and reflect on their work, developing independence, resilience and pride in their achievements.

By the end of primary school, pupils will:

• Be confident performers, composers and listeners
• Demonstrate an appreciation of a wide range of musical styles and traditions
• Understand how music is influenced by cultural, social and historical contexts
• Use instruments and technology creatively to compose and perform
• Express their own musical preferences and ideas
• Be well-prepared for further study in Music at Key Stage 3