Rationale
At St. Paul's C E Primary School, we believe music is a gift to be shared and celebrated by all. It is a universal and inclusive language that unlocks self-expression, fosters connection, and nurtures the whole child. Our music curriuclum is rooted in our Christian vision "Together we Grow, Love to Learn, Shine and Make a Difference." and "Letting your light shine" (Matthews 5:16) enabling every child to discover their voice, grow in confidence and express their God-given creativity.
Our music curriculum is grounded in the belief that every child, regardless of background, ability, or experience has the right to participate in and enjoy music. We are committed to a practical and inclusive approach where children learn by active participation - singing, playing, moving, listening and creating music together. We provide a safe and joyful space where all children including those with additional needs can Shine.
Music is not a privilege for the few, but a creative entitlement for all. By making music an active and accessible part of school life, we empower every child to participate, find joy, and flourish.
Overview
Music is woven into the fabric of school life at St. Paul's. From classroom lessons to collective worship, from nativities to concerts, music brings our community together in shared expression and celebration. It is a vibrant and valued part of life at St. Paul's. Our progressive curriuclum develops children's musical understanding while nurturing their spiritual, emotional and social growth. It provides opportunities for creativity, expression and collaboration including that of other schools within the Trust.
Intent
Our Music curriculum aims to:
- Enable all children to find joy and confidence through active music-making
- Foster a lifelong love of music through rich, varied experiences
- Develop poractical musical skills in singing and through active engagement with rhythm, pitch, structure, dynamics and timbre in performance and composition
- Reflect the values of respect, friendship, perseverence and service, helping children listen to and work with others
- Celebrate diversity and expose pupils to a wide range of music from different cultures, times and traditions
- Include and celebrate all children, offering varied ways to participate and succeed
- Provide accessible, inclusive opportunities for pupils with SEND to thrive musically and emotionally
- Support social-emotional development through teamwork, listening and reflection
Implementation
Music is taught weekly through a practical, progressive curriculum that allows children to learn music by doing.
Our approach includes;
- Regular singing across the school, both in class and in assemblies and collective worship
- Use of tuned and untuned percussion isntruments to develop performance skills and musical understanding
- Body percussion and movement activities to develop co ordination and rhythm ( including during Wake Up Shake Up sessions in the mornings across the whole school over the week).
- Composing and improvising as tools for creativity and self-expression
- Listening to a diverse range of music, developing vocabulary and appreciation
- Use of accessible schemes such as Charanga and Sing up to structure learning, while tailoring lessons to our school's context
- Adapting lessons to meet the needs of all learners using multisensory tasks, simplified notation, visual supports and collaborative group work
Music is also enriched through school productions, instrumental lessons from the Music Service, choir and participation in music events alongside other schools and in celebration within Oldham.
Children with additional needs are supported through differentiated activities, inclusive group work and sensory friendly approaches to music-making.
Impact
The impact of our music curriuclum at St. Paul's is seen in the confidence, enthusiasm and musical understanding of our pupils.
They:
- Participate actively and willingly in music lessons, school performances and school - led church services through musical intervention
- Develop strong aural skills and a growing understanding of musical elements
- Express themselves creatively and communicate through music
- Show respect for musical diversity and appreciation for others' contributions
- Leave St. Paul's with positive musical experiences and a readiness to continue exploring their gifts
- Extend their musical talents alongside external influencers such as I Sing Pop.
We celebrate progress in music through performance, self reflection and teacher observation.
More importantly we value the joy and sense of belonging that music brings to our school community.
Assessment is ongoing and reflects each child's musical journey. Most importantly, music at St. Paul's nurtures each pupil's light, encouraging them to shine in their own unique way.
