ALL SAINTS’ CATHOLIC PRIMARY MUSIC POLICY

Introduction

At All Saints' Catholic Primary School, we believe that music is a vital part of a broad and balanced curriculum. Music inspires creativity, self-expression, and emotional development. It helps children develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of community. We aim to provide an inclusive and engaging music education that equips pupils with lifelong musical appreciation and enjoyment.

We follow the Kapow Primary Music Scheme, chosen for its comprehensive coverage of the National Curriculum, clear progression of skills, accessibility for all learners, and support for teacher subject knowledge.

Intent

Our music curriculum aims to:

• Develop pupils’ musical knowledge, skills, and understanding progressively from EYFS to Year 6.

• Inspire children to engage with music through listening, composing, performing, and appraising.

• Introduce pupils to a wide range of musical traditions, genres, styles, and cultures.

• Provide opportunities for all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds, to succeed and enjoy musical experiences.

Implementation

Music is taught weekly across all year groups through a carefully sequenced curriculum.

• Curriculum Design: Based on the Kapow Primary Music Scheme, offering a spiral curriculum model where knowledge and skills are revisited and deepened.

• Practical Approach: Lessons are hands-on, involving singing, playing instruments, improvising, composing, and listening.

• Teacher Support: Non-specialist teachers are supported by Kapow’s video tutorials, modelling, and CPD materials.

• Performance Opportunities: Regular performances are embedded into school life, including assemblies, concerts, and productions.

• Instrumental Learning: Pupils have access to tuned and untuned percussion and, where possible, specialist tuition.

• Inclusion: Lessons are designed to be adaptable so that every pupil, including those with SEND, can access and enjoy music education.

Impact

We measure the impact of our music curriculum through:

• Pupil outcomes: Children demonstrate progression in performing, composing, and appraising skills.

• Pupil voice: Pupils can talk confidently about their music learning, showing enthusiasm and understanding.

• Work sampling: Recordings of performances and samples of creative work show progression over time.

• Monitoring: The Music Subject Leader carries out lesson observations, planning scrutiny, and data analysis to ensure quality and consistency.

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will have developed a solid foundation in musical skills and knowledge, preparing them for future musical engagement at secondary school and beyond.

Assessment

Assessment in music is continuous and informs teaching and learning:

• Formative Assessment: Observations, questioning, peer and self-assessments are used within lessons to gauge understanding and progress.

• Summative Assessment: Kapow's end-of-unit assessments help track individual and group progress against expected outcomes.

• Evidence Collection: Recordings of performances, compositions, and pupil reflections serve as evidence of achievement.

• Use of Assessment:

  • Inform planning and differentiation.

  • Identify pupils needing further challenge or support.

  • Support reporting to parents and leadership.

• Subject Monitoring: Assessment information is reviewed termly by the Music Subject Leader to ensure consistency and impact across the school.

Early Years

Music is integral to learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS):

• Embedded within Expressive Arts and Design.

• Children experience music through singing, movement, musical storytelling, and rhythm-based activities.

• Focus on developing listening and attention, creativity, motor skills, and expressive communication.

• Simple musical vocabulary and concepts (e.g., loud/soft, fast/slow) are introduced.

• Musical activities are linked to thematic learning and daily routines.

Musical learning in EYFS lays a strong foundation for the more structured curriculum in Key Stage 1.

SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)

Music education at All Saints' Catholic Primary School is fully inclusive:

• Adapted Lessons: Tasks are scaffolded to allow access for all abilities, including visual supports, simplified notation, and alternative ways to participate (e.g, body percussion, vocal sounds).

• Differentiated Resources: Kapow’s flexible lesson materials allow adaptation for varied learning needs.

• Support Staff: Teaching assistants help facilitate musical engagement for pupils with additional needs.

• Celebrating Achievement: Every pupil’s musical progress, no matter how small, is recognised and celebrated.

• Accessibility: Ensuring all children have access to musical instruments and opportunities to perform.

We are committed to enabling every pupil to express themselves musically and achieve personal success.

Each month we have a featured composer of classical or art music. Children throughout the school learn about the composers time period and concepts relating to his or her life and music.