Music
Intent
Listen, Appraise, Compose and Perform
Music at St Joseph’s is a vibrant and essential part of our creative curriculum. From the moment pupils join us in the Early Years, they develop a love of singing, rhythm and musical expression through rhymes, songs and playful exploration. As pupils progress, we provide structured opportunities to develop musicianship through both vocal work and a broad range of tuned and untuned instruments, including percussion, recorders, glockenspiels, ukuleles and keyboards.
In line with the National Curriculum purpose of study, music lessons aim to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, increasing their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. Pupils encounter music from a wide range of genres, cultures and historical periods, such as Classical, Jazz, Motown and Pop, enabling them to appreciate how music is created and how it communicates ideas and emotions.
Pupils are encouraged to listen analytically, explore what inspired different styles, and express themselves creatively through composition and performance. Our intention is for pupils to develop into confident, thoughtful musicians who can perform, compose and evaluate with increasing independence.
Implementation
Music is taught explicitly through three projects per year, each consisting of six structured lessons. Every project centres on a focus song, a focus instrument, and opportunities for pupils to:
- listen and appraise,
- develop instrumental skills,
- improvise and compose,
- rehearse and refine,
- and perform.
Each lesson highlights one of the interrelated dimensions of music—pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure.
We follow Charanga, a scheme recommended by Surrey County Council, to support musical progression while maintaining a practical, engaging and inclusive approach.
Throughout the year, pupils take part in a wide variety of musical experiences. They learn and perform songs and hymns across school life, including in Masses, Liturgies, Nativities and the Year 6 Drama Production.
Pupils who wish to extend their musical learning can participate in additional opportunities, including:
- Surrey Arts’ 1:1 instrumental tuition,
- KS2 Choir,
- and wider performing arts events.
These experiences help pupils build confidence and develop ensemble skills in line with curriculum expectations for performing in solo and ensemble contexts with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression.
Impact
By the time pupils leave St Joseph’s, we aim for them to be musically literate, confident performers and expressive composers. They will have experienced a broad and balanced music curriculum and developed secure understanding of musical concepts, notation and performance skills.
Pupils will be able to:
- Perform using their voice and a range of instruments with growing accuracy, fluency and control.
- Listen with attention to detail, appraise music thoughtfully and discuss how elements of music contribute to mood, style and intent.
- Compose and improvise, organising musical ideas within structures and drawing on the inter‑related dimensions of music
- Use and understand musical notation, enabling them to record, refine and communicate their ideas clearly.
- Recognise and appreciate music from different periods, cultures and traditions, understanding the historical and cultural development of the art form.