Music Curriculum  

Intent 

At Yattendon School, our music curriculum is designed to inspire, persevere and achieve through rich musical experiences that develop pupils as confident performers, composers, listeners and musicians. Through the Kapow Condensed Music Curriculum, pupils in Years 3-6 develop the knowledge, skills and vocabulary needed to appreciate, create and perform music whilst fostering creativity, self-expression and cultural understanding. 

Our curriculum reflects Yattendon's Shared Vision by providing rich learning experiences that broaden pupils' horizons and connect them with a diverse range of musical traditions, genres, composers and cultures. Children learn that music is a powerful form of communication, enabling them to express ideas, emotions and experiences while developing confidence, resilience and collaboration. Yattendon's commitment to a broad and engaging curriculum is supported through opportunities to listen, perform, compose and evaluate across a range of musical contexts.  

Music also actively promotes our core values of Appreciation, Kindness, Courage, Honesty, Responsibility and Co-operation. Pupils learn to appreciate the work of others, perform with courage, reflect honestly on their own achievements, take responsibility for their learning and work collaboratively in ensembles and group compositions. These values underpin every aspect of music-making. 

The curriculum strongly supports the development of the 'Y' Factor, encouraging children to demonstrate perseverance, determination and resilience. Through rehearsing performances, refining compositions, responding to feedback and overcoming challenges, pupils learn that success in music is achieved through effort, practice and a positive mindset.  

By the end of Year 6, pupils will: 

• Perform with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression. 

• Improvise and compose using the inter-related dimensions of music. 

• Read and use musical notation. 

• Listen critically and evaluate music using appropriate vocabulary. 

• Appreciate music from a wide range of cultures, traditions, genres and historical periods. 

• Demonstrate confidence, creativity and resilience as musicians. 

 

Implementation 

Music is taught through the Kapow Condensed Curriculum and is carefully sequenced to ensure progression from Years 3 to 6. Learning is organised through the key strands of: 

• Listening and Evaluating 

• Creating Sound 

• Notation 

• Improvising and Composing 

• Performing 

• Inter-related Dimensions of Music 

Knowledge and skills are progressively developed so that pupils revisit and deepen their understanding over time. Children move from identifying and describing musical features in Lower Key Stage 2 to analysing, evaluating and applying musical concepts with increasing independence in Upper Key Stage 2. 

Lessons provide opportunities for pupils to: 

• Listen actively to a broad range of live and recorded music. 

• Develop singing skills and vocal technique. 

• Play tuned and untuned instruments. 

• Improvise and compose for a range of purposes. 

• Read, write and use musical notation. 

• Perform individually and collaboratively. 

• Evaluate their own and others' work using precise musical vocabulary. 

The curriculum explicitly teaches musical vocabulary, enabling pupils to discuss and analyse music confidently. Opportunities for discussion, reflection and peer feedback support the development of communication, critical thinking and metacognition, aligning closely with Yattendon's commitment to developing effective learners through Learnacy and the Learning Powers of problem-solving, concentrating, thinking together and reflecting. 

Music lessons promote the Yattendon values by encouraging: 

• Co-operation through ensemble work. 

• Courage through performance. 

• Responsibility through rehearsal and practice. 

• Appreciation of diverse musical traditions. 

• Honesty through evaluation and self-reflection. 

• Kindness through respectful collaboration and constructive feedback. 

 

Impact 

The impact of our music curriculum is evident in pupils who enjoy music, participate enthusiastically and demonstrate increasing confidence as performers, composers and listeners. 

By the end of Year 6, pupils: 

• Possess a secure body of musical knowledge and vocabulary. 

• Perform musically with increasing confidence and expression. 

• Compose and improvise creatively using the inter-related dimensions of music. 

• Read and apply age-appropriate musical notation. 

• Evaluate music critically using subject-specific language. 

• Understand how music reflects cultures, traditions, history and society. 

• Work collaboratively and respectfully with others. 

• Demonstrate resilience, perseverance and independence through the Y Factor. 

Pupils leave Yattendon as confident, reflective and creative musicians who recognise the value of effort, embrace challenge and appreciate the role that music plays in enriching their lives and the wider world. Through music, they embody Yattendon's vision to Inspire, Persevere and Achieve, becoming learners who are prepared for future success both academically and personally.