Intent

At Rockcliffe, we believe that music is a universal language and a vital part of every child’s education. We recognise that every child is musical, and our intention is to provide an inclusive, engaging and ambitious curriculum that enables all pupils to develop as confident performers, composers, improvisers and listeners.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, music is delivered through the Charanga Creative Curriculum, aligned with the EYFS Framework and Development Matters guidance, where children explore music through play, movement, singing and creative experiences. From Years 1–4, our curriculum is aligned with the Model Music Curriculum and delivered through the Charanga Model Music Curriculum. It is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in both knowledge and skills. Through a spiral approach, pupils revisit and deepen their understanding of key musical concepts over time, leading to secure, long-term learning and musical mastery.

We aim for pupils to experience music as a practical, creative and reflective discipline. Through singing, playing, composing and listening, children develop technical control, expressive understanding and the ability to think and make decisions as musicians. Our curriculum also promotes cultural awareness, enabling pupils to explore music from a wide range of traditions, styles and historical contexts, and to understand its role in society.

In line with the National Curriculum, we intend for all pupils to:

·         perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a wide range of traditions, genres and historical periods

·         sing and play instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency and expression

·         improvise, compose and create music independently and collaboratively

·         understand how music is constructed and communicated through key musical elements such as pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure

Our curriculum places particular emphasis on:

·         singing as the foundation of musical learning

·         a spiral progression model that revisits and deepens learning over time

·         developing pupils’ ability to think critically, listen carefully and form their own musical opinions

·         providing authentic musical experiences that connect learning to the wider world

Implementation

Music is taught weekly using the Charanga scheme, which provides clearly structured units with sequenced lessons and defined learning outcomes. In EYFS, children follow the Charanga Creative Curriculum, where musical learning is developed through exploration, play, movement and singing in line with the EYFS Framework. From Years 1–4, pupils follow the Charanga Model Music Curriculum, with each unit built around high-quality songs and integrating the key strands of musical learning: listening, singing, playing, improvising, composing and performing.

Across all year groups, lessons follow a consistent structure, typically including:

·         understanding music (developing pulse, rhythm and pitch)

·         listening and responding to music from different styles and contexts

·         learning and singing songs

·         playing instruments

·         improvising and composing

·         performing and sharing outcomes

Wider Opportunities

Music is enriched through additional opportunities. Our Glee Club choir meets weekly and performs at local events and pupils engage with the wider musical community through the North Tyneside Music Hub. We also offer 1:1 tuition in guitar and piano.

Performance is integral to the curriculum. Pupils regularly perform within lessons and for audiences, culminating in a Year 4 Leavers’ Performance that celebrates their musical learning.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Rockcliffe, they are confident, engaged and reflective musicians with a secure foundation in musical knowledge and skills.

They are able to:

·         sing and play with accuracy, fluency and expression

·         improvise and compose with increasing confidence and control

·         listen attentively and respond thoughtfully to a wide range of music

·         understand and apply key musical elements and concepts

·         discuss music using appropriate vocabulary and express informed opinions

Pupils demonstrate:

·         clear progression in musical knowledge and skills over time, supported by the spiral curriculum

·         growing independence, creativity and resilience in music-making

·         an understanding of music’s cultural, historical and social significance

·         confidence in performing and sharing their work with others

Ultimately, pupils leave Rockcliffe with a lifelong appreciation of music, a sense of their own musical identity and the knowledge and enthusiasm to continue their musical journey.