Music Curriculum at SS.Mary and John’s

At SS. Mary and John’s Catholic Primary Academy, we aim to provide a high-quality, inclusive music education that fosters creativity, personal expression, and a lifelong appreciation for music. We believe music plays a vital role in cultural development, enabling children to understand the world around them and appreciate diverse musical histories and traditions.

Through a broad and balanced curriculum, pupils build a foundational understanding of music by listening, appraising, performing, and composing across a wide range of historical periods, styles, and genres. Guided by our Catholic ethos, music provides a platform for children to strive for excellence, express their faith, and build confidence in an engaging, safe and nurturing environment.

National Curriculum Alignment:

Our curriculum ensures that all pupils:

  • Perform, listen to, review, and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles, and traditions.
  • Learn to sing and use their voices, create and compose music on their own and with others, and learn a musical instrument.
  • Understand and explore how music is created, produced, and communicated through interrelated dimensions such as pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure, and appropriate musical notations.

Teaching of Music at SS. Mary and John’s

Music is taught systematically across the school from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2), ensuring clear progression and regular opportunities to practice and refine skills.

Classroom Curriculum: Classroom music is delivered using the Charanga music scheme, which follows a spiral curriculum structure. This approach allows pupils to continually revisit, embed, and build upon prior knowledge and skills.
Specialist Teaching & Partnerships: We work alongside specialist music educators and the Wolverhampton Music Service to deliver targeted instrumental and vocal instruction:
Specialist singing tuition tailored to National Curriculum objectives and EYFS / Year 5 themes.
Year 2: Djembe drumming instruction focused on rhythm, ensemble playing, and pulse.
Year 4: A progressive instrumental pathway starting with Djembe drumming and transitioning into advanced Ukulele technique later in the academic year.
Faith & Performance: Music is embedded into the spiritual life of the school, enhancing school masses, liturgies, assemblies, and seasonal performances, giving children regular opportunities to perform in front of an audience.

Impact

Our music curriculum ensures that children leave SS. Mary and John’s as confident, knowledgeable, and creative listeners, performers, and composers.

Musical Understanding: Children develop a rich vocabulary to articulate their analysis of musical pieces, recognising elements such as genre, history, and musical structure.
Performance & Expression: Pupils gain practical performance skills, demonstrating confidence in singing and playing instruments both individually and as part of an ensemble.
Enriched Experience: Through extra-curricular clubs, workshops, concerts, and liturgical celebrations, pupils develop a deep appreciation for music and memorable experiences that celebrate their progress and achievements.

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