Music at Blandford St Mary CE Primary School

Curriculum Intent

At Blandford St Mary CE Primary School, we have designed a music curriculum to nurture a lifelong love of music. Our curriculum is structured to inspire creativity, confidence, and a deep appreciation of musical expression through listening, composing, appraising, performing, singing, and playing musical instruments.

We want our children to:

• Be confident performers – Developing self-confidence and teamwork skills through performance.
• Be composers – Learning to sing, create, and compose music using a range of techniques.
• Be musicians – Gaining experience in playing instruments as part of their musical journey.
• Be critical and reflective listeners – Understanding and exploring how music is created, produced, and communicated.
• Have a lifelong appreciation of music – Developing an enduring passion for music in all its forms.
• Encourage mental health and wellbeing by bringing the whole school community together through music.

We work in partnership with our local Music Hub (Dorset Music Hub, now Octagon Hub). We intend to create a strong musical culture within our school.

Curriculum Implementation

Our carefully structured curriculum is designed to provide a progressive and engaging musical journey for all children:

• From Reception to Year 3, we use Jolly Music, a structured programme that develops key musicianship skills such as rhythm, pitch, and singing.
• From Year 4 onwards, we follow KAPOW Music, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging approach to musical development.
• Instrumental lessons (Year 3 to 6) are delivered through Charanga, offering children practical experience in playing a variety of instruments.

While we make meaningful connections to other curriculum areas, we prioritise music as a discipline in its own right, emphasising its unique character and significance. Through our curriculum, children build upon their knowledge and skills in a progressive sequence, ensuring they develop confidence and expertise.

Children explore a variety of instruments, including percussion, vocals, recorder, glockenspiel, and an instrument provided through the Dorset Music Hub Musicianship Scheme. The children are encouraged to participate in performances throughout the year. In addition, we offer a KS2 choir and peripatetic lessons, giving children further opportunities to develop their musical abilities.

Curriculum Impact

Our children are enthusiastic learners who take pride in their musical development. They talk positively about their learning experiences in music and are keen to perform to an audience. We provide opportunities for our children to showcase their musical talents, celebrating their progress and enjoyment of music.

‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity’
(The National Curriculum)

British Values

Individual Liberty: Children show a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them. They show imagination and creativity in their learning.

Mutual Respect: Through listening and discussing music and the creative processes behind it, we often identify differences in opinions and feelings. Children are able to appreciate the differences in their own musical tastes, their classmates and the wider world.

Democracy: In lessons children make decisions together in teams to create and perform music. They make sure that everyone’s thoughts, suggestions and ideas are considered.

Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs: By studying a variety of music from different countries and cultures, children understand that we all share the same beliefs and values. They also understand the importance of values and ideas when working together in ensemble groups and learn to listen to others’ opinions when rehearsing for group performances.

The rule of law: Children appreciate that the musical instruments that we use are cared for and not damaged. They understand that the rules for their use prepare us for using equipment in the world of work.

Instrumental Lessons

We currently offer piano and violin instrumental lessons within school. These lessons take place on a Tuesday afternoon and occasionally after school, if needed. Mrs Stimpson, our instrumental teacher comes into school and holds the lessons in the music room. If you are interested in lessons, please contact the office or speak to Mrs Beaver.