Weston Village Primary SchoolMusic
Our Vision
At Weston Village Primary School, we believe that Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. It plays a vital role in our broad, balanced, and inclusive curriculum. Our music curriculum is designed to inspire pupils to develop a love of music, increase their self-confidence, creativity, and sense of achievement.
Through opportunities to perform, compose, and appreciate music from a diverse range of traditions, genres, and cultures, children at Weston become enthusiastic, expressive musicians. Our approach encourages every child to Be the Best They Can Be, in line with our Secrets of Success ethos.
Intent
Our Music curriculum aims to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians. We aim for all pupils to:
Develop their musical skills in singing, playing instruments, composing, and performing.
Experience a wide variety of music from different times, places, and cultures.
Build confidence, creativity, and a sense of personal expression through musical performance and composition.
Develop critical listening skills and an understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure, and appropriate musical notations.
Learn to work both independently and collaboratively to create and perform music.
Develop their understanding of the history and cultural context of music.
Inclusion lies at the heart of our curriculum. Every child, regardless of their background or needs, is entitled to a rich and varied music education. Adaptations are made where necessary to ensure that all children can access the full curriculum and achieve success.
Implementation
Music is taught as a discrete subject every week from Reception to Year 6. Our scheme is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in the key areas of singing, listening, composing, and performing. We follow a progressive long-term plan that meets the expectations of the National Curriculum and the Model Music Curriculum.
Our music curriculum focuses on:
Singing: Children learn to sing in tune with expression, control pitch, and develop their understanding of melody and harmony.
Playing instruments: Pupils explore tuned and untuned percussion instruments, glockenspiels, and recorders. They learn to play accurately and with control.
Composing and improvising: Children create their own compositions, using instruments, voices, and music technology to explore structure, texture, and rhythm.
Listening and appraising: Pupils listen to and evaluate a wide variety of music from different historical periods, styles, traditions, and cultures. They develop their understanding of the elements of music and begin to use musical vocabulary accurately.
The learning journey is built upon practical, active engagement. Each year group builds on prior knowledge and skills to ensure pupils develop as confident, well-rounded musicians.
Our Curriculum in Action
EYFS (Sparrows): Children explore sound and rhythm through singing games, body percussion, and instruments. They develop their listening and responding skills and perform simple songs and chants.
Key Stage 1: Pupils develop their understanding of beat, rhythm, and pitch. They sing songs, play percussion instruments, and create simple compositions. Children listen to music from different cultures and historical periods and begin to use musical vocabulary.
Lower Key Stage 2: Pupils refine their singing technique, perform rounds and partner songs, and learn to play tuned instruments like the recorder and glockenspiel. They compose longer pieces using notation and explore music from the past and around the world.
Upper Key Stage 2: Pupils sing in harmony, perform with expression, and develop advanced composition skills. They use notation to record their compositions and critically appraise music from a wide range of traditions. Pupils explore complex structures, such as theme and variations, and understand the historical context of music.
Enrichment and Wider Opportunities
Music at Weston extends beyond the classroom:
Choir: Our school choir performs regularly at school events and in the community, including Christmas carol concerts, local festivals and the national massed choir performances of Young Voices.
Peripatetic music lessons: Pupils have the opportunity to learn instruments such as guitar, piano, and violin through specialist teachers.
Performances: All children participate in performances, including Harvest Festival, Christmas productions, and Year 6 leavers’ shows.
Collaborative Projects: We work with music hubs and attend events such as Young Voices and inter-school music festivals.
Music and movement: Opportunities through Forest School and PE integrate music and rhythm to enhance physical learning experiences.
Instrument tuition: All children are taught to play an instrument as part of our Year 4 music curriculum. The is commonly a brass instrument and always culminates in a recital for parents.
Assessment
We assess music in a range of ways to ensure all children make progress:
Teacher assessment: Ongoing formative assessment is used during lessons to check understanding, inform planning, and provide feedback.
Performance opportunities: Children regularly perform to peers and parents, allowing staff to assess musical progress in a supportive environment.
Pupil voice: Regular opportunities for children to reflect on their learning, express preferences, and set musical goals.
Work scrutiny: Audio recordings, notation, and composition evidence are gathered to monitor and celebrate progression.
End-of-unit reflections: Pupils review their learning and celebrate their achievements, supporting teachers’ summative assessments.
Impact
By the end of their time at Weston, pupils will:
Have a deep understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music.
Demonstrate confidence in performing, composing, and appraising music.
Have experienced a wide repertoire of music from different cultures, times, and traditions.
Be able to use musical vocabulary accurately to describe and discuss music.
Be equipped with skills and experiences that foster a lifelong love of music and creativity.
Inclusion
At Weston, Music is for everyone. We ensure that children with SEND and other additional needs are supported with adapted resources, scaffolded tasks, and differentiated expectations. Where needed, we provide pre-teaching of musical concepts and use multi-sensory approaches to support access.
Pupil Voice
🗣 “I love singing in choir because we learn songs that make everyone smile.” – Year 3 pupil
🗣 “We learned to play the trumpet and performed for our parents. I was really proud!” – Year 4 pupil
🗣 “Music lessons are fun. I like making up rhythms and playing them with my friends.” – Year 1 pupil
Subject Leadership
Our Music Lead, Miss Griffiths, is passionate about ensuring high-quality, inclusive music provision at Weston. She provides staff training and supports teachers in delivering engaging lessons. Miss Griffiths monitors planning, assessment, and the quality of teaching, and she works with children to foster a love of music across the school, not least through leading our school choir.
Want to know more?
Take a look at our:
Music Policy
Music Long Term Plan