At Newlands, our music curriculum aims to inspire pupils’ curiosity and enjoyment of music, and to develop a clear understanding of how music is created, performed and experienced in different times, places and cultures. Through singing, playing instruments, listening and composing, pupils learn to explore musical ideas, use the inter-related dimensions of music (pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure), and develop the knowledge and vocabulary to describe what they can hear. They also learn that music can be interpreted in different ways, and that their own choices as performers and composers matter.

How we deliver our curriculum

At Newlands, music is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds pupils’ musical knowledge and skills progressively from the Early Years to Year 6. Learning is organised into engaging units, delivered in weekly lessons (a minimum of 60 minutes) by class teachers using Kapow and supported by Sing Up. In line with the National Curriculum, pupils learn to sing and play tuned and untuned instruments, listen with concentration to a wide range of music, improvise and compose using the inter-related dimensions of music, and begin to use and understand musical notation as they move through the school.

How we support everyone to learn

Music at Newlands is planned so that all pupils can access and enjoy it, whatever their starting point. We break learning into manageable steps and use regular modelling, rehearsal and supportive visuals so children can focus on key National Curriculum skills: singing, playing, listening and responding, and creating their own music. Kapow resources help us to do this well, with clear lesson sequencing that revisits and builds on prior learning, key vocabulary and questions for discussion. Where pupils need it, we adjust parts, rhythms, instruments or recording methods, provide extra practice time and targeted adult support, and use pre-teaching to introduce new musical vocabulary. Children who need more challenge are encouraged to refine their performance and compositional choices, take on leadership roles in group work and support others to succeed.