Music
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At Monkspath School, our music curriculum celebrates creativity, collaboration, and self-expression. We aim to provide all pupils with a high-quality music education that nurtures musical skills, builds confidence, and fosters a lifelong love of music. Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum for Music, is supported by the Model Music Curriculum, and reflects the expectations of the National Plan for Music Education.
What We Teach
Our music curriculum enables children to:
- Sing and perform individually and in groups.
- Play tuned and untuned instruments musically.
- Listen to and appraise a wide range of music from different traditions, genres, and historical periods.
- Compose and improvise using musical elements such as pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and tempo.
We ensure progression in musical knowledge and skills across year groups, with opportunities for whole-class instrumental tuition and ensemble work.
How We Teach
Music is taught through:
- Weekly lessons that include singing, playing, listening, and composing.
- Whole-school singing assemblies and performances.
- Opportunities to take part in local music events.
We offer a weekly whole-class guitar lesson for all Year 4 pupils, delivered during curriculum time across the full academic year. This includes opportunities for performance and ensemble work.
We also celebrate a Musician of the Month, introducing pupils to influential composers and performers from a range of genres, cultures, and time periods—broadening their musical horizons and deepening their appreciation of music. This is shared with parents/ carers regularly.
Enrichment and Extra-Curricular Opportunities
We are proud to offer a rich music offer beyond the classroom, including:
- KS2 Choir – open to all pupils, with regular performances and community events.
- Year 5 Rock Band – a creative group for pupils interested in contemporary music and performance.
- Peripatetic Instrument Lessons – currently available for guitar and piano for children in Key Stage 2, delivered by specialist tutors.
These opportunities help pupils develop confidence, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation of music.
What Children Learn and How We Assess
Children develop musical confidence and creativity. They learn to:
- Perform with control and expression.
- Understand musical notation and vocabulary.
- Reflect on their own work and that of others.
Assessment includes:
- Observation and participation in lessons.
- Performances and recordings.
- Pupil voice and self-assessment.
This helps us ensure pupils are making progress and developing secure musical knowledge and skills.
Music Development Plan
In line with the National Plan for Music Education, all schools are expected to have a Music Development Plan. This sets out our vision for music education and how we work in partnership with our local Music Hub and other providers to enrich our offer.
Publishing a summary of our plan helps to:
- Raise awareness of our music provision.
- Promote our music offer to parents and prospective families.
- Strengthen collaboration with music hubs and community partners.
Click here to read our Music Development Plan