Intent
At Starcross Primary School, we want all pupils, regardless of need or barrier, to develop a love of music and an understanding of its power to inspire, communicate, and connect. From exploring sounds in the early years to composing, performing, and listening critically, we aim to nurture creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation of music.
We seek to instil curiosity and enjoyment in making and experiencing music, helping children understand how music reflects culture, history, and human emotion. Our curriculum encourages pupils to listen attentively, respond thoughtfully, and express themselves through a variety of musical activities.
We value hands-on learning, including singing, playing instruments, composing, improvising, and performing. Pupils are encouraged to participate in individual, group, and whole-class music-making experiences, supported by access to live performances, technology, and community music initiatives. Through a progressive curriculum, we aim to develop confident, enthusiastic, and expressive young musicians.
Implementation
Music is taught throughout the school, with skills and knowledge building progressively from Preschool to Year 6.
- Preschool and EYFS: Children explore sounds through songs, instruments, and movement. They develop listening skills, rhythm, pitch, and the confidence to express themselves musically. Music is integrated into daily routines, stories, and play.
- KS1 (Years 1–2): Pupils learn to sing, play tuned and untuned instruments, and respond to music using movement and rhythm. They begin to understand musical concepts such as tempo, dynamics, and pitch. Listening activities introduce a variety of musical styles and cultures.
- Lower KS2 (Years 3–4): Pupils build skills in performing, composing, and improvising. They explore different genres and instruments, learn to read simple musical notation, and develop critical listening skills. Collaborative music-making is encouraged through ensemble work and class performances. Opportunities to participate in concerts and community projects in music-making are provided.
- Upper KS2 (Years 5–6): Pupils extend their musical understanding by composing more complex pieces, performing confidently, and evaluating their own and others’ music. They deepen their understanding of musical notation, structure, and theory and explore the music of different cultures and historical periods. Opportunities to participate in concerts, community projects, and technology-enhanced music-making are provided.
Impact
By the time pupils leave Starcross, they will:
- Perform confidently as individuals and as part of an ensemble, with increasing technical skill and expression.
- Compose and improvise using a range of instruments, voices, and digital tools.
- Listen to, analyse, and evaluate a wide range of musical styles and traditions.
- Understand and use musical vocabulary to describe and discuss music effectively.
- Appreciate the role of music in culture, society, and personal expression.
- Be inspired to continue exploring, performing, and creating music throughout their lives.
