Intent

At South Avenue Primary School, we believe that Music is a vital and integral part of children's education, providing opportunities for expression, creativity and personal development. Through our Music curriculum, we want every child to be inspired, challenged and supported to be the best they can be, regardless of their starting point or individual ability.

Our Music curriculum is designed to develop ambitious, confident and resilient learners who have a passion for music and a desire to achieve. We use the Sing Up programme to support consistent, high-quality teaching and learning across the school, ensuring that our curriculum fulfils the requirements of the National Curriculum and provides a broad, balanced and progressive development of musical knowledge and skills.

Through our curriculum, children build on prior learning and develop their musical understanding through listening, appraising, composing, performing and evaluating. They explore how to create and express music using a range of instruments, their voices and body percussion. As they progress, children develop their technical skills, musical vocabulary and understanding of different musical styles, genres, artists and periods.

We want our children to develop curiosity, confidence and creativity, whilst learning to experiment, explore, practise, persevere and reflect on their work. These experiences link closely with our school values and help children to become creative and critical thinkers who take pride in their achievements.

Every child is recognised as a unique individual, and we celebrate the different ways in which children express themselves through music. We believe that music provides an opportunity for all children to participate, explore and share their creativity without limitations. Children's musical achievements are valued and celebrated through performances, recordings and events within school and the wider community. We want every child to recognise their potential, develop a lifelong appreciation of music and feel inspired to explore opportunities beyond the classroom.

Implement

At South Avenue, our Music curriculum is delivered through the progressive Sing Up programme, ensuring that children develop their knowledge and skills as they move through the school. Music is taught as part of our wider curriculum, with learning linked to termly topics where appropriate. Teachers use a range of teaching approaches to engage pupils, build on prior knowledge and make meaningful connections with other curriculum areas.

Children are given regular opportunities to listen to, explore, create, compose and perform music. They share their ideas and compositions with others through class activities, performances, class assemblies and end-of-year productions. These opportunities allow children to develop confidence, celebrate their achievements and appreciate the work of others.

We place great importance on providing rich musical enrichment opportunities that allow children to experience music beyond the classroom. Throughout their time at South Avenue, pupils are given opportunities to take part in experiences such as iRock, Young Voices, live concerts, musical performances and other events within the wider community. These experiences expose children to different musical styles, performers and audiences, allowing them to develop their confidence, broaden their musical horizons and experience the enjoyment of making music together. We aim to ensure that children have opportunities to experience live music, perform to an audience and engage with music in meaningful and memorable ways.

Alongside our curriculum provision, we provide opportunities for children to develop their musical talents further through individual music lessons delivered by external specialist musicians. We also offer extra-curricular activities, including our Key Stage 2 choir. Pupil voice is used termly to help shape the clubs on offer, ensuring that children's interests and preferences are considered.

Pupil and staff voice are valued in developing the quality of Music across the school. Pupil voice and staff questionnaires help us to understand experiences, identify areas for development and inform future staff CPD, ensuring that teaching and learning continue to improve.

We provide opportunities for musical learning both inside and outside the classroom. Educational visits and enrichment experiences are planned to broaden children's understanding and expose them to different musical experiences, helping them to make connections between their classroom learning and the wider world.

We have developed strong links with Fulston Manor, providing opportunities for staff and pupils to benefit from their expertise, facilities and equipment. Fulston Manor Music teachers also support staff development by sharing musical knowledge, techniques and strategies to enhance the teaching of Music across South Avenue.

Impact 

Through our Music curriculum, children develop a secure and progressive understanding of musical knowledge, skills and techniques. They become increasingly confident in listening to, appreciating, creating and performing music across a range of styles, genres and traditions.

As children progress through South Avenue, they build on their prior learning and develop their ability to apply musical skills independently and creatively. They learn to experiment with sound, use instruments and their voices effectively, recognise musical features and make informed choices when composing and performing.

Children develop confidence in sharing their work, performing to different audiences and evaluating their own and others' musical contributions. They learn to respond positively to feedback, reflect on their progress and recognise how practice and perseverance can improve their achievements.

Through performances, enrichment opportunities, extra-curricular activities and our links with Fulston Manor, children develop a wider appreciation of music and the opportunities available to them beyond the classroom. Experiences such as Young Voices, iRock, attending live concerts and learning from external specialist musicians help children to build confidence, develop a sense of belonging and experience the enjoyment of performing and engaging with music alongside others.

Ultimately, we want our children to leave South Avenue as confident, creative and reflective individuals who have developed a lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of music. We want every child to recognise their individual talents, embrace opportunities, take pride in their achievements and have the confidence to challenge themselves to be the best they can be.