Intent

At Leyland Methodist Schools, we recognize that music is a universal language that inspires creativity and self-expression. Our aim is to foster a love of music while developing a deep understanding of how it is created through listening, appraising, singing, and playing both tuned and untuned instruments. Children will have the opportunity to evaluate, analyse, and compose music across a broad range of historical periods, styles, and genres. We encourage our pupils to appreciate the significance of music within different cultures and communities, ensuring they recognize its value in the wider world. Through engaging musical experiences, we provide opportunities for all children to participate, perform, and express themselves.

Implementation

Our music curriculum aligns with the National Curriculum and ensures progression across all year groups. Children engage in singing, listening, playing, performing, and evaluating as part of their musical journey. This is embedded through classroom learning, whole-school worship, and various performance opportunities. We follow the Charanga music scheme, a structured programme designed to support high-quality music education in primary schools. Our lessons are carefully sequenced to allow children to build on prior knowledge, deepen their understanding, and apply key musical concepts.

In lessons, children learn to play instruments such as the recorder, glockenspiel, and a range of percussion instruments, helping them to explore different ways of creating and reading music. They also develop composition skills, focusing on musical dimensions such as pitch, rhythm, and dynamics. Alongside instrumental work, children use body percussion and vocal sounds to strengthen their understanding of musical elements in an accessible and engaging way. Beyond the classroom, extra-curricular activities provide further opportunities for children to develop their musical talents.

Impact

At Leyland Methodist Schools, we ensure that children’s musical skills and confidence grow each year. In Early Years, children develop an early appreciation of music through singing nursery rhymes and performing simple rhythm patterns. In Key Stage 1, they build on these foundations by learning to play tuned and untuned percussion instruments and experiencing whole-class recorder tuition. As they progress into Key Stage 2, pupils develop their knowledge further, engaging in whole-class brass lessons and gaining the ability to read and follow musical notation.

Throughout their time at our school, children are encouraged to develop a lifelong love of music. Whether as singers, instrumentalists, composers, or performers, they leave with the skills and enthusiasm to appreciate and engage with music in a meaningful way.