Music for every child
Every child at Newchurch, St. Mary's Primary School engages in quality music education from their entry into Reception until the end of KS2 in Year 6. In the early Years, music is incorporated consistently into daily routines and is used to enhance teaching of the core curriculum in addition to being taught as a stand-alone subject. In KS1 and KS2 pupils participate in weekly one hour curriculum music lesson with a teacher.
Music
“Inspiring musicality, creativity and spiritual expression through sound.”
Intent
At Newchurch St. Mary’s Primary Academy, we believe that music is a powerful form of expression that nurtures creativity, builds confidence and develops children’s emotional and spiritual well-being. Our music curriculum is designed to inspire a lifelong love of music while supporting pupils’ musical understanding, performance skills and creative development.
Using the Charanga scheme as our foundation and adapting it to reflect the unique values of our school, we aim to provide an enriching and inclusive musical education for all. Music at Newchurch is not just about technical skill; it is a spiritual and expressive journey that enables children to connect with themselves and others in meaningful ways.
We are committed to offering all children the opportunity to perform, compose, listen and appraise a wide range of musical genres, cultures and traditions—laying the groundwork for confident, creative musicians of the future.
Implementation
Our curriculum follows the Charanga music scheme, which we adapt to support our commitment to developing children musically, spiritually and creatively. The scheme is sequenced to progressively build skills in listening, composing, performing and appraising, and is enriched with improvisation, movement, and performance opportunities.
In EYFS and Key Stage One, pupils explore music through play, singing, and movement. They develop a sense of rhythm, pitch and pulse through improvisation and build confidence in group performances. Children are encouraged to express themselves creatively, laying the foundations for more structured musical learning.
In Key Stage Two, we offer a unique, progressive instrumental programme:
- In Year 3, all pupils begin learning the recorder to develop reading notation, rhythm, and breath control.
- From Year 4 onwards, pupils choose between the clarinet or saxophone, and continue learning their chosen tuned instrument through to Year 6.
- Weekly lessons are delivered by a specialist music teacher, ensuring high-quality tuition and continuity of skill progression.
Throughout all key stages, pupils are given opportunities to perform regularly, both within school and to the wider community, developing confidence and a sense of achievement. Music is also celebrated through collective worship, themed days and extra-curricular opportunities.
Impact
Our music curriculum has a transformative impact on pupils, enabling them to:
- Develop strong musical knowledge and practical skills across a range of instruments and styles.
- Experience the joy of performance and the confidence that comes from creative expression.
- Engage with music spiritually, reflecting on its emotional and expressive power.
- Appreciate a wide variety of musical traditions and genres from different cultures and time periods.
- Leave Year 6 as musically literate learners with the foundations to continue musical study in secondary school and beyond.
Music at Newchurch St. Mary’s is a vital part of our curriculum that fosters not only skill, but joy, connection and creativity—giving every child the chance to find their voice through music.