Intent and Progression

At our school, music is taught through the Dimension Curriculum, which is aligned with the National Curriculum for England. This curriculum follows a spiral approach, allowing pupils to revisit key musical concepts each year while gradually building their knowledge, skills and confidence as musicians.

Learning is centred around the interrelated dimensions of music: pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and notation. These elements are explored in every unit, helping pupils understand how music works and how it can be created and performed.

The curriculum is delivered through four key, interconnected strands:

• Listening and Appraising – Pupils listen to and discuss a wide range of music from different cultures, traditions and historical periods. They learn to recognise musical features, instruments and styles while developing their listening and analytical skills.

• Singing – Singing is at the heart of music learning. Pupils develop vocal skills through a varied repertoire of songs, singing both individually and as part of a group, including rounds and harmonies as they progress through the school.

• Playing – Pupils play both tuned and untuned instruments in solo and ensemble settings, developing increasing control, accuracy and musical expression.

• Creating (Improvising and Composing) – Children experiment with sounds and musical ideas to create their own music. They improvise, compose and begin to record their musical ideas using different forms of notation.

Across the curriculum, pupils develop an understanding of musical notation, progressing from simple graphic notation in the early years to reading and using staff notation in upper Key Stage 2. They also explore the history and cultural context of music, including learning about significant composers and musicians.

The curriculum also includes opportunities to use music technology to create and manipulate sound, as well as regular chances for pupils to perform, both in class and at school events.

Our music curriculum is designed to be inclusive and creative, enabling all pupils to develop a love of music, build confidence in their musical abilities and see themselves as musicians.