Music Statement
‘With joyful hearts, we love, learn and praise as the family of God’
Intent
At Sacred Heart, we believe that all pupils should have the opportunity to listen to, appreciate, perform, and explore a wide range of musical styles and genres, from the great classical composers to modern musical influences. Music forms an integral part of pupils’ cultural capital, past and present, helping them understand themselves, relate to others, and forge connections between home, school, and the wider world.
Our curriculum encourages pupils to express themselves and become confident performers. Music is embedded throughout school life, creating positive learning environments in which pupils feel confident to perform—whether in small groups, larger concerts, or school Masses.
We recognise the importance of our local area and its influence on pupils’ musical heritage, providing opportunities to participate in local music festivals, perform for the community, and take part in competitions, alongside whole-school musical celebrations. Our curriculum is diverse and responsive to pupils’ interests, ensuring high engagement and fostering a positive relationship with music.
Through their learning, pupils will explore how music is created, produced, and communicated, developing knowledge of the elements of music and musical notation. Pupils will have the opportunity to learn to play a range of musical instruments. They will also learn to sing as part of an ensemble, compose and create music individually and collaboratively, and use technology to enhance their musical understanding and creativity.
Implementation
Our music curriculum is taught as a spiral curriculum, building on and revisiting prior skills. It is designed to meet the requirements of the 2014 National Curriculum for Years 1–6, alongside the 2021 Model Music Curriculum, ensuring that children sing, listen, compose, and perform through class activities, whole-school assemblies, hymn practice, school Masses, instrument learning, concerts, and performances.
We have a well-resourced music provision, including a wide range of percussion and tuned instruments. A specialist music teacher enhances our curriculum through weekly whole-class teaching across Years 4–6. In Early Years, pupils explore and experiment with sound through the “Exploring and Using Media and Materials” aspect of the Early Years Curriculum. In Key Stage 1, teachers follow the Charanga scheme, with a focus on voice and percussion knowledge. In Key Stage 2, our specialist music teacher uses Charanga alongside our own curriculum to create a bespoke program tailored to the needs and interests of our pupils. In Key Stage 2, pupils are taught by specialist music teachers and class staff, Year 3 and 4 pupils learn recorder and glockenspiel, while Years 5 and 6 receive specialist tuition on ukulele and develop composition skills using a variety of instruments and app-based programs.
To further enrich pupils’ musical experiences, Years 4–6 have the opportunity to participate in small-group guitar lessons delivered by a peripatetic music specialist. KS2 pupils can also join the school choir, African drumming band, and liturgical band. Pupils celebrate their achievements through Christmas and Summer Musical Extravaganzas, featuring both group and individual performances. Across the school, pupils are also given opportunities to perform in wider musical workshops, including singing at the Bridgewater Hall as part of The Big Sing and at the Royal Exchange Theatre for Sing-Arounds, alongside regular performances in assemblies and Masses.
Assessment in music is practical, through observing pupils’ performances, listening, and responses. Learning and progress are evidenced through video recordings of key skills across the year. Pupils are also encouraged to engage in self- and peer-assessment of their compositions and performances.
Impact
At Sacred Heart, we aim for our pupils to become confident musicians and performers with a strong understanding of how music is composed, developed, and shared. While at school, pupils experience a rich and varied music curriculum that allows them to explore their strengths and identify areas for growth. Our curriculum encourages resilience, self-reflection, and positive risk-taking, all within a supportive and safe environment.
Music at Sacred Heart also fosters an appreciation of culture and history, both individually and within our school community and the wider world. Pupils are encouraged to enjoy music every way—whether as a listener, creator, or performer—nurturing a lifelong love and understanding of the artform.