Music
Our Vision for Music
At St. John with St. Michael’s CE Primary School, we believe music has the power to inspire, bring joy and strengthen community. Through our Music curriculum, pupils develop creativity, self-expression, confidence and a lifelong appreciation of music, in line with our Christian values of harmony, collaboration and celebration.
Why Music Matters
Music supports emotional wellbeing, cognitive development and social skills. It helps pupils to:
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Express themselves creatively
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Build confidence through performance
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Listen attentively and develop musical understanding
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Work collaboratively in ensembles or choirs
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Appreciate music from different cultures, times and traditions
Link to the National Curriculum
Our Music curriculum is fully aligned with the National Curriculum for England, which aims to ensure that all pupils:
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Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of genres and styles
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Learn to sing and play instruments musically, with increasing control, fluency and expression
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Improvise and compose music for a range of purposes
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Understand and explore musical language and notation
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Develop an appreciation of music from different traditions and from great composers and musicians
(Based on the National Curriculum for England – Music)
Specialist Music Lessons
To enrich our curriculum, pupils have access to specialist teaching from Create, including:
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Ukulele lessons: Developing instrumental skills, rhythm, pitch and ensemble playing
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Singing sessions: Focusing on vocal technique, pitch, phrasing, expression and performance
These specialist sessions ensure pupils receive high-quality, progressive instruction and gain confidence performing both individually and as part of a group.
What Pupils Learn
In EYFS, children:
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Explore sounds and rhythms
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Experiment with singing and simple instruments
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Enjoy musical play and movement
In Key Stage 1, pupils:
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Learn songs and play simple instruments
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Explore rhythm, pitch, dynamics and tempo
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Perform to peers and in assemblies
In Key Stage 2, pupils:
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Build proficiency in playing instruments, including ukulele
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Develop advanced singing skills and ensemble performance
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Compose and improvise music
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Explore musical notation and theory
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Study music from different cultures, genres and historical periods
How We Teach Music
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Practical and Engaging: Learning is active and hands-on, with opportunities to sing, play, compose and perform
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Performance Opportunities: Pupils share music in class, assemblies and special events
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Cross-Curricular Links: Music is connected to literacy, history, RE and PSHE to enrich learning
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Reflect and Evaluate: Pupils listen to and appraise their own work and that of others
Music in Our School Community
Music at St. John with St. Michael’s brings our school community together. Pupils develop confidence, teamwork and creativity, performing in concerts, nativity plays and local events. By nurturing a love of music, we help children become expressive, empathetic and culturally aware individuals.