Curriculum Statement
At Lyppard Grange Primary School, we are proud to deliver an ambitious music curriculum built upon the framework of the National Curriculum. Thoughtfully designed, it aims to empower children and prepare them for an ever-evolving world.
Our primary aim is to equip children with the core musical knowledge and essential skills they need to be Secure, Engaged, and Equipped for life (SEE). By fostering these foundations, we ensure every child has the confidence and capability to thrive in a rapidly changing future.
Music is taught using a thematic approach to learning where appropriate. However, to ensure the sequential development of skills, some lessons may need to be taught discretely. Each lesson is carefully crafted to nurture our school’s core learning values: curiosity, adaptability, perseverance, courage, teamwork, communication, and independence.
Our music curriculum not only builds creative and technical excellence but also promotes the development of confident, well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead and hold a genuine love of learning. Through our music curriculum, we are empowering children to be SECURE, seeking to ensure that they are self-aware by recognising their own strengths and areas for development as musicians through practice, rehearsal and reflection; self-disciplined and hardworking as they learn that progress comes through perseverance and commitment; confident and content in themselves with a strong sense of self-worth as they experience success in performing and composing; and able to recognise right and wrong with a sound moral compass as they learn to listen, respect others’ contributions and work collaboratively. Music also supports children in being fit, healthy and active through singing, movement and instrumental performance. We are empowering children to be ENGAGED, seeking to ensure that they develop a sense of responsibility through ensemble work and performance; show awareness of their community locally, nationally and globally as they explore music from different cultures and traditions; are participants in those communities through shared music-making and performance opportunities; develop awareness of and empathy for others as they respond to and reflect on music that expresses a wide range of emotions and experiences; and build strong social skills through cooperation, turn-taking and teamwork. We are empowering children to be EQUIPPED for life, seeking to ensure they are musically literate by reading notation and using musical vocabulary; adaptable, independent and effective team players through ensemble performance; committed, resilient and positive in their outlook as they refine and improve their work; prepared to broaden their horizons through exposure to a wide range of musical styles; and effective communicators who are polite, respectful and courteous when performing, listening and responding to others.
Progression Through the Music Curriculum
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In the Early Years, music is embedded through the Expressive Arts and Design area of learning. Children are encouraged to explore music in a playful, practical, and sensory-rich way, laying strong foundations for future musical learning.
Children in EYFS develop their musical understanding by:
exploring and experimenting with sound, rhythm, and movement;
singing songs and rhymes, building confidence and enjoyment;
using instruments to explore volume, pitch, and tempo;
responding physically and emotionally to music through dance and imaginative play;
developing listening skills, turn-taking, and collaboration through shared musical experiences.
These early experiences support communication, language development, confidence, and creativity, ensuring children are secure and engaged as they transition into Key Stage 1.
Key Stage 1 (KS1)
In Key Stage 1, children build on their early experiences by developing basic musical skills and vocabulary through regular opportunities to listen, perform, compose, and evaluate.
Children in KS1:
use their voices expressively through singing and chanting;
experiment with tuned and untuned instruments;
begin to recognise and respond to pulse, rhythm, pitch, and tempo;
listen to and discuss a range of music from different genres and cultures;
work collaboratively, developing teamwork and communication through group performances.
Music in KS1 nurtures confidence, creativity, and enjoyment, enabling children to become engaged participants who are beginning to understand music as a shared and expressive art form.
Key Stage 2 (KS2)
In Key Stage 2, children deepen their musical understanding and develop greater technical control, musical independence, and critical listening skills.
Children in KS2:
perform with increasing confidence, accuracy, and expression;
develop knowledge of musical notation and structure;
compose and improvise music using a range of musical elements;
listen to, analyse, and evaluate music from different historical periods, cultures, and traditions;
use music technology to support composition, performance, and evaluation;
work collaboratively in ensembles, developing leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
By the end of KS2, children are equipped for life with the skills to express themselves musically, appreciate a wide range of music, and confidently apply their learning beyond the classroom.
Music and the SEE Framework
Through our music curriculum, we are empowering children to be SECURE, seeking to ensure that they are:
self-aware musicians who understand their strengths and areas for development;
confident performers and composers who persevere and take creative risks;
respectful listeners who value the contributions of others.
We are empowering children to be ENGAGED, seeking to ensure that they:
develop a love of music and a willingness to participate;
appreciate music from different cultures, times, and traditions;
work collaboratively and empathetically with others.
We are empowering children to be EQUIPPED for life, seeking to ensure they are:
numerate and literate through rhythm, pattern, notation, and musical vocabulary;
confident users of music technology;
effective communicators who can express ideas, emotions, and opinions through music;
polite, respectful, and courteous participants in performances and musical activities.
VISION -Being a Musician at Lyppard Grange Primary School
Music plays an integral part in everything we do at Lyppard Grange. Our vision is that our high-quality music education will allow children to experience a range of music, play a variety of instruments, be inspired to develop a love of music and will have a positive impact on children's mental health and wellbeing.
INTENT
At Lyppard Grange Primary School, children develop a secure understanding of music through:
We are committed to giving children the opportunity to develop as musicians, whilst also developing curiosity for the subject. We provide a rich and varied curriculum in order to provide children with the skills and knowledge required of successful musicians. Children will leave Lyppard Grange Primary School with an appreciation for the joy of music, a love for singing and playing musical instruments and having had a range of musical opportunities and experiences.
IMPLEMENTATION
Music at Lyppard Grange is taught by the class teacher and ensures progression of skills and knowledge throughout each year group. In the classroom, children will listen to music, sing, play, compose and perform whilst also using key musical vocabulary and the inter-related dimensions of music. Frequent retrieval of skills and knowledge will ensure that children build on previous learning and make connections to the wider curriculum.
Children listen with concentration both within classroom lessons and also in assemblies. A new ‘Musician of the Month’ is introduced in whole school assemblies. Musicians chosen are from a range of historical periods and introduce children to music from a range of cultures and genres. The children continue to listen the music each day when walking into assembly to build familiarity and appreciation.
‘Kapow’, ‘Pbuzz’ and ‘Charanga’ are widely used schemes across the school. These schemes provide engaging lessons and meet the National Curriculum requirements.
All children in Year 5 are taught how to play an orchestral instrument through expert tutorage from our local music hub, Severn Arts. They learn to read traditional staff notation as well as how to play in a group, giving performances throughout the year. In all year groups children have opportunities to learn to play a variety of instruments including, Pbuzz (KS1), glockenspiels, keyboards, recorders, ukuleles and a range of percussion instruments.
Singing assemblies are a highlight of our week at Lyppard Grange and take place every Thursday for Years 1-6. Children are taught to sing a range of songs and learn how to sing in rounds, parts and harmony.
We have a range of extra-curricular music clubs on offer at Lyppard Grange, including Young Voices, Arts Festival Choir and Orchestra, which give children the chance to develop their musical skills and create opportunities for performing to an audience.
All children in Key Stage 2 are given the opportunity to begin taking instrumental lessons in school. These are provided by highly skilled peripatetic teachers from Severn Arts. There are a range of instruments available for children to learn including, piano, singing, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, violin, cello, brass and guitar. We strongly support those having instrumental lessons by celebrating their successes and giving them many performance opportunities, including ‘Musical Showcases’ which take place in the evenings and parents attend.
IMPACT
Children at Lyppard Grange are able to enjoy music as listeners, composers and performers. They are able to appreciate and understand music from different cultures, genres and periods of history. Children have opportunities to discuss their views about different music, understanding that others’ views may vary to their own and respecting this. Music at Lyppard Grange enables and inspires children to develop a love of music, creates opportunities for them to develop their personal confidence and provides strong foundations for future musical study.