At Withycombe Raleigh C of E Primary School, our intent is to nurture all children to become confident, enthusiastic music-makers who develop a life-long love of music. We aim for every child to see themselves as musical and to develop confidence, enthusiasm and a life-long appreciation of music. For some, this may be the beginning of ambitions to become performers, composers, producers or songwriters.

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[image: The children were treated to a visit to the Budleigh Music Festival where the orchestra performed music from Wallace and Grommit]

Our music curriculum reflects the world children live in today, while also giving them access to musical styles, traditions and cultures from across history and around the world. Through this, children develop curiosity, respect and enjoyment of music in all its forms.

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Music at WRPS is underpinned by our Christian values of Generosity, Respect, Agape, Courage and Empathy. Through music, we support children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, while also nurturing transferable life skills such as confidence, creativity, resilience, teamwork and leadership.

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Through our curriculum, children will:

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• Develop enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of music

• Sing confidently and expressively across a wide-ranging repertoire

• Play tuned and untuned instruments with increasing control and awareness of others

• Improvise and compose by exploring, selecting and organising musical ideas, recording these through pictorial, digital and standard notation

• Listen with concentration and develop their aural memory

• Appraise music thoughtfully, understanding how time, place and culture influence its creation

• Perform to different audiences with growing confidence

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A strong singing culture is established and nurtured across the school. Children and adults are encouraged to sing regularly to support well-being, build community and enhance musical development. 

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Implementation

 

Music at WRPS is delivered through a progressive curriculum that builds knowledge, skills and understanding over time. We use the Kapow Primary Music scheme to support clear progression across the school, ensuring children revisit and deepen prior learning as they move through each year group.

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Lessons provide regular opportunities for children to listen to and appraise music, sing, play instruments, compose and perform. Children explore key musical elements such as pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture and structure through practical, engaging activities. A key feature of our provision is our whole-class recorder programme, taught each year. 

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Teaching reflects Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction, with opportunities for retrieval, modelling, guided practice and small-step progression to ensure learning is secure and accessible. Lessons are inclusive, with appropriate scaffolding to support all learners and suitable challenges for those who show particular interest or aptitude.

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Music is enriched through a wide range of musical experiences across the school. Children take part in regular singing in assemblies and collective worship, instrumental tuition and whole-class instrumental teaching, and extra-curricular opportunities such as choir and instrumental groups. Specialist music workshops funded by the Devon Music Education Hub provide access to expert musicians, high-quality resources and wider musical experiences.

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Pupils also benefit from a variety of performance and cultural opportunities throughout the year. These include school and church-based performances such as Harvest celebrations, Christmas services, leavers’ services, end-of-term celebrations and school fayres. Children participate in the annual Christmas Nativity and end-of-year performances, as well as visits to a professional pantomime. These experiences allow pupils to perform for real audiences, celebrate their learning and develop confidence and enjoyment in music.

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Music resources, including tuned and untuned instruments, body percussion, technology and specialist equipment, support varied and high-quality musical experiences across the school.

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Ongoing CPD and subject-lead-led support, ensures staff confidence and strong subject knowledge.

We ensure music holds an important place within school life, recognising its value in bringing our community together.

 

Resources:

• A wide range of music equipment and resources are accessible to all classes.  We have a particularly strong tradition in drumming and untuned percussion and have an impressive collection of ‘Stomp!’ instruments (recycled objects). 

• We access the County’s sets of whole class instruments and regularly hire out class sets of instruments (e.g. glockenspiels, Jumbie Jams) which can be used alongside the Charanga teaching programme.

• We also access grants for whole class instrumental teaching delivered by specialist peripatetic teachers. These sessions result in a whole class performance to the school or wider community.

• A portable sound system with computer, radio microphones and CD player are available for every year group.

 

Impact

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The impact of our music curriculum is seen in the enthusiasm, confidence and pride our children demonstrate. They leave WRPS with a secure musical foundation and a genuine enjoyment of music.

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Children:

• Engage positively and confidently in music lessons

• Make clear progress in singing, playing, composing and listening

• Use appropriate musical vocabulary when discussing music

• Perform with growing assurance to a range of audiences

• Show respect and appreciation for different musical styles and cultures

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By the end of each key stage, pupils achieve at least age-related expectations, with opportunities for those with particular strengths to excel further through performances, enrichment and instrumental pathways.

 

At WRPS, we recognise that music offers children a powerful means of self-expression and connection with others. Through listening, performing and creating, our pupils grow in confidence, cultural understanding and self-awareness. We aspire for every child to leave our school not only with musical skills, but with a lasting love of music and the confidence to continue their musical journey in whatever way they choose.

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