Music Curriculum Statement

At Herrick, we want music to be practical, fun and inclusive for every child. As a school in a diverse, multicultural community in Leicester, we make sure our music curriculum reflects the varied backgrounds of our pupils. We aim to build children's confidence as singers, listeners, and performers while exposing them to music from a wide range of cultures and traditions.

We use the Charanga Music Scheme to ensure a clear sequence of learning across EYFS, KS1, and KS2 in line with the National Curriculum. Charanga provides our baseline lesson plans, clear skill progression and interactive whiteboard resources.

While Charanga gives us our structure, we adapt it to suit our children:

• Our Dedicated Music Room: Lessons take place in a well-equipped space where pupils get hands-on experience with real instruments.
• Hands-on Instruments: Alongside glockenspiels and recorders, we use a class set of djembe drums to teach pulse, rhythm and African drumming traditions.
• Diverse Music: We adapt lessons to include music and artists from different cultures, giving pupils a chance to explore instruments and sounds linked to their own heritage and the wider world.
• Adaptable Lessons: Activities are adjusted so all pupils, including those with SEND, can join in and succeed.

Key Skills We Teach Musical skills are built up step-by-step through four main strands:

• Listening & Appraising: Responding to different genres, styles, and composers.
• Vocabulary: Using musical words like pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, and dynamics.
• Singing & Performance: Singing together in pitch and performing to an audience.
• Playing & Composing: Learning technique on tuned and untuned percussion, and creating simple rhythms and melodies.

Assessment
Assessment in music is ongoing and practical:

• Teachers give immediate feedback during practical activities and performances.
• Progress is checked against Charanga’s age-related expectations.
• Video and audio recordings are saved on school drives to show progress over time.