Music

At St Martin's, we believe that music is a powerful form of expression and a vital part of every child’s education.

Through the Charanga Model Music Curriculum, we offer a high-quality, inclusive programme that nurtures creativity, builds confidence, and develops musical understanding. We are proud to work with SIPS Music, who provide expert-led whole-class instrument tuition across Key Stage 2.

As part of this provision, children in KS2 have the opportunity to learn to play musical instruments such as the trumpet and clarinet as a whole class. These sessions not only teach technical skills and musical notation but also encourage teamwork, perseverance, and a shared sense of achievement through ensemble playing.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in the key areas of musical learning: listening and appraising, singing, playing instruments, improvising, composing, and performing. Pupils explore a wide range of musical styles, genres, and traditions from around the world, helping them develop a broad appreciation of music and its cultural significance.

Lessons are designed to be engaging and accessible, with opportunities for pupils to work both independently and collaboratively. Musical vocabulary and notation are introduced gradually, enabling children to communicate their ideas and reflect on their musical experiences.

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will have developed the skills to perform with control and expression, compose using key musical elements, and listen with understanding and enjoyment.

At St Martin's, music is not just a subject—it’s a celebration of creativity, culture, and connection.

At St Martin’s, our intent for Music is to provide a high-quality, inclusive curriculum that nurtures creativity, confidence, and musical understanding. Using the Charanga Model Music Curriculum, we aim to inspire all pupils to develop as performers, composers, and listeners through a progressive and engaging musical journey.

We believe that music is a universal language that fosters emotional expression, cultural awareness, and personal growth. Our curriculum is designed to:

  • Build pupils’ knowledge of musical elements such as pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, structure, and notation.

  • Develop technical skills in singing, playing instruments, improvising, and composing.

  • Encourage creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking through musical exploration.

  • Celebrate diversity by exposing pupils to a wide range of musical genres, traditions, and cultures.

We implement the Charanga Model Music Curriculum through a structured and sequenced programme that ensures progression across year groups and key stages. Each unit is designed to revisit and deepen understanding of musical concepts while introducing new skills and repertoire.

Key features of our implementation:

  • Weekly music lessons delivered by class teachers using Charanga’s high-quality resources.

  • Whole class music tuition led by expert teachers from SIPS Music for Key Stage 2.

  • Clear learning objectives and vocabulary introduced in each lesson to support musical literacy.

  • Opportunities for pupils to perform, compose, and respond to music both individually and in groups.

  • Use of tuned and untuned instruments, including recorders, glockenspiels, and body percussion.

  • Integration of listening activities that develop pupils’ appreciation of music from different times and places.

  • Extra opportunities to play instruments and perform through after school clubs.

Assessment is formative and ongoing, focusing on pupils’ ability to apply musical knowledge, perform with confidence, and reflect on their learning. Performances, recordings, and pupil voice are used to celebrate progress and inform planning.

The impact of our music curriculum is evident in the enthusiasm, creativity, and musical competence pupils demonstrate across a range of activities. Through the Charanga Model Music Curriculum, pupils develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to enjoy and engage with music throughout their lives.

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will:

  • Sing and play instruments with control, expression, and accuracy.

  • Improvise and compose music using key elements and notation.

  • Listen with attention and respond thoughtfully to a variety of musical styles.

  • Understand the role of music in different cultures, communities, and historical contexts.

Teachers monitor progress through observation, pupil voice, and performance outcomes. Subject leaders ensure consistency and ambition across the school through learning walks and pupil voice.

Ultimately, pupils leave primary school with a strong foundation in music, ready to build on their skills and explore their musical identity in secondary education and beyond.

Big Ideas

Our music curriculum is built on the belief that every child is a musician. Through Charanga and specialist instrumental tuition, we nurture creativity, expression, and musical understanding. Big ideas include listening, performing, composing, and appraising. Pupils explore the interrelated dimensions of music—pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, and structure—through practical, engaging experiences. Music is taught as a spiral curriculum, revisiting concepts with increasing depth. Children develop confidence, collaboration, and cultural awareness through solo and ensemble work. Our curriculum promotes a lifelong appreciation of music and empowers pupils to express themselves through sound, movement, and performance.

Content

Our music curriculum covers all elements of the National Curriculum for music. Pupils engage in singing, playing tuned and untuned instruments, composing, improvising, and performing. Charanga provides structured units that include listening and appraising, musical activities, and opportunities to create and share music. Children explore a wide range of genres, styles, and traditions, from classical and jazz to pop and world music. In addition, pupils receive specialist tuition in trumpet and clarinet, enriching their musical experience and developing instrumental skills. The curriculum also includes music theory, notation, and historical context, ensuring a broad and balanced musical education.

Sequencing

Our music curriculum is sequenced to build musical knowledge and skills progressively from Reception to Year 6. Charanga follows a spiral model, where key concepts are revisited and deepened over time. Each unit builds on prior learning, allowing pupils to develop fluency and mastery in musical elements. Instrumental tuition is sequenced to support technical development and musical understanding, with pupils progressing from basic techniques to more complex performance skills. The curriculum ensures that children experience a wide range of musical styles and contexts, with opportunities to apply their learning in performances and creative tasks throughout the year.

Oracy and Vocabulary

Oracy and vocabulary are central to our music curriculum. Pupils learn to describe musical elements using precise terminology such as pitch, tempo, dynamics, and timbre. Through Charanga’s structured lessons and instrumental tuition, children engage in discussions, reflections, and evaluations of music. Teachers model musical language and encourage pupils to articulate their ideas confidently. Singing, composing, and performing provide rich opportunities for expressive communication. Vocabulary is revisited regularly to support retention and deepen understanding. Oracy activities help pupils develop listening skills, musical reasoning, and the ability to express their musical preferences and interpretations clearly and thoughtfully.

Assessment of Pupils

Assessment in our music curriculum is both formative and summative. Teachers use observation, questioning, and performance tasks to assess pupils’ musical understanding and progress. Charanga provides assessment frameworks with clear learning outcomes and “I can” statements to guide evaluation. Pupils demonstrate their skills through singing, playing, composing, and reflecting on their work. Instrumental tuition includes regular feedback and performance opportunities to monitor progress. Assessment informs planning and supports personalised learning, ensuring all pupils are challenged and supported. This approach helps track musical development over time and celebrates pupils’ achievements in both classroom and instrumental music.

Reasonable Adjustments for Pupils with SEND

Our music curriculum is inclusive and accessible for all learners. Lessons are designed with clear routines, visual aids, and differentiated activities to support pupils with SEND. Charanga’s flexible resources allow teachers to adapt content and delivery to meet individual needs. Instrumental tuition is personalised, with adjustments made to support physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges. Pupils are given additional time, simplified instructions, and alternative ways to engage with music. Opportunities for repetition, small group work, and multi-sensory experiences help reinforce learning. Our approach ensures every child can participate in and enjoy music, regardless of ability or background.

Respect
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.
Jane Goodall