We believe that the opportunity to engage in musical experiences is crucial for the development of the whole child. Through playing, creating, singing and performing, children develop confidence, communication, thinking and creative skills.

At our school, children have access to music through regular classroom activities and formal music lessons, as well as to co-curricular opportunities such as peripatetic music lessons, wider performance opportunities with other schools, after school clubs and whole school music events.

Our music curriculum is founded on the following values:

Enjoyment

• Singing and listening to music happens every day with fun classroom activities
• Children incorporate songs and music games into their play
• Children enjoy access to further music opportunities outside the school timetable

Exploration and Wonder

• Children are given lots of opportunities in class to make music and playfully explore musical elements
• Enrichment opportunities are wide ranging and exciting, including trips, visits from specialists, and shared experiences with older students.
• The school has a wide range of instruments that the children can use regularly.

Resilience

• Children are encouraged to take risks in their learning; tackling musical challenges and trying out new vocabulary
• Dedicated music teachers support parents and children to develop commitment and resilience in their home music practise
• Children that belong to ensembles and choirs are encouraged to keep going to a high standard to take part in important concerts and performances.

Confidence

• Musical experiences include lots of opportunities for performance and developing expression
• Musical events shared with pupils in the partnering secondary school and in other local schools develop children’s aspirations and confidence
• Children are given encouragement and support in class to express their ideas and understanding.

Community

• Regular concerts and events provide opportunities to share learning and build relationships within the CPS community and also within the wider community of Cathedral Schools Trust and locally.
• Singing together regularly in singing and achievement assemblies helps build a feeling of community
• Group music making activities help children to understand the collaborative and cooperative aspect of music and to develop these skills. Classrooms create an atmosphere that celebrates contribution and teamwork.

In addition to supporting their whole development, we want our children to develop strong musicianship skills to allow them to enjoy a lifetime of music opportunity. Children learn:

• To be able to explore and thoughtfully create new ideas in music
• To perform with confidence
• To cooperate with others in musical group tasks
• To develop an understanding of the basic musical elements
• To develop a sense of rhythm
• To be able to listen thoughtfully and to articulate their responses to music using musical vocabulary
• To experience and to learn to appreciate new and different styles and genres
• To sing and play a musical instrument with control and expression
• To show resilience in keeping going to improve and develop skills and understanding
• To learn how to appreciate new and different styles and genres