Music

Every Child has a Voice

Music 

Intent

We recognize the value of music as a fundamental element in children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development and so at St. Mark’s we teach music supported by the Ealing Music Service Scheme, Charanga, which aligns with the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 and 2. Charanga is an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning. 

Our curriculum aim is to:

• Foster a deep enjoyment and appreciation for music across a variety of genres, traditions, and historical periods.
• Develop children’s confidence in performance, both as individuals and in groups and to promote collaboration. 
• Equip pupils with the skills to critically engage with music, encouraging them to listen with attention, respond to, and discuss musical elements.
• Teach the fundamental skills of music, including rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and musical notation, building progressively across year groups.
• Encourage children to create, compose, and perform their own music, fostering innovation and creative expression.

Implementation

Pupils learn through completing two units each term, an overview of which can be found here: 

 

Each unit contains a series of lessons which offer the opportunity to: 

• Listen and Appraise 
• Take part in musical activities: Games, Singing, Playing, Improvising and Composing
• Perform/Share

Within each unit children listen to and learn a focus song as well as listening to and appraising a range of songs linked to the unit theme. Children are introduced to the interrelated dimensions of music carefully, through a spiral of progressions, shown below.

Lessons are supported with high quality resources and as they progress they are able to achieve each aspect on their Music Passport which can be found on this page, together with Knowledge Organisers for each unit. 

Regular assessments, feedback, and performance observations ensure that pupils are making progress, and this is reflected in both their academic outcomes and their emotional and social development through engagement with music.

Peripatetic Lessons and Extracurricular Opportunities: We offer additional instrumental lessons provided by specialist teachers, such as learning the piano, guitar, or violin, as well as a school choir and band to foster a love for performance and collaborative music-making.

Inclusive and Adapted Curriculum: The music curriculum is inclusive and adapted to meet the needs of all learners. We provide additional resources and tailored support for children with SEND to ensure they fully participate in and enjoy music lessons.

Impact

The impact of our music curriculum is seen through the development of pupils’ skills, knowledge, and attitudes towards music at the end of each stage of their learning. By the time pupils complete Key Stage 2, they will have developed a broad, balanced, and rich experience of music, laying the groundwork for continued study in Key Stage 3 and beyond, as well as fostering personal enjoyment and cultural enrichment.