Our music development plan can be found by clicking here
At St Willibrord’s, Music gives pupils opportunities to perform, compose, listen and respond to a wide range of music.
Our Music curriculum is based principally on Kapow Primary and is organised so that pupils progressively develop their musical knowledge, practical skills and confidence from Year 1 to Year 6.
Through Music, pupils develop their understanding of:
These areas are revisited across the school so that pupils can build on previous learning and apply their musical knowledge in increasingly sophisticated ways.
In Year 1, pupils develop their understanding of pulse, sound patterns and pitch through movement, singing and practical music-making.
In Year 2, pupils develop their ability to use call and response, select instruments for musical effect and explore pitch through performance and composition.
In Year 3, pupils begin to read and perform rhythmic patterns, develop their improvisation skills through music inspired by India and explore ensemble performance through reggae.
In Year 4, pupils develop confidence in singing in parts, begin to read musical notation from the stave and use technology to create loop-based compositions.
In Year 5, pupils develop their understanding of chords and melodies, explore West African rhythmic traditions and use music to support storytelling and performance.
In Year 6, pupils apply their developing performance skills through pop music, explore how lyrics can communicate messages and use music technology to create film soundtracks.
Pupils are given opportunities to perform using their voices and instruments.
As they progress through the school, they develop:
Pupils learn to create their own music using voices, instruments and technology.
They develop increasing confidence in:
Listening is an important part of the Music curriculum.
Pupils encounter music from a range of styles, traditions, cultures and periods and are encouraged to listen carefully and respond using appropriate musical vocabulary.
They develop their understanding of the inter-related dimensions of music, including:
As pupils progress, they increasingly use this knowledge to explain how music is created and why it sounds the way it does.
Pupils develop their understanding of musical notation progressively.
They begin by recognising and representing simple rhythmic and pitch patterns before developing increasing familiarity with standard musical notation and the stave.
Notation is used as a practical tool to support performance, composition and musical understanding.
Music technology is increasingly incorporated into the curriculum as pupils progress through the school.
Pupils use digital tools to explore, create and manipulate sound and to develop compositions in different musical contexts.
Our Music curriculum is ambitious for all pupils. Teachers adapt resources, instruments, modelling and support where necessary so that pupils can participate successfully in musical activities.
Adaptations are made while maintaining pupils’ access to the important musical knowledge and practical experiences taught within the curriculum.
Further information about the Music units taught in each year group can be found within our Curriculum by Year Group plans.
Our Music Development Plan sets out our wider priorities for music across the school.
If you would like further information about our Music curriculum, please contact the school.