Music at Hurst Green is designed to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talents as musicians, while increasing their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. Using the Charanga curriculum as a foundation, the curriculum is carefully sequenced from Year 1 to Year 6 to ensure that pupils develop progressively deeper musical knowledge, understanding and skills over time.

Structure & Sequencing

Music is taught discretely to ensure that all elements of the National Curriculum can be developed fully, including singing, listening, composing, performing, understanding musical history and developing understanding of musical notation. The curriculum is structured to enable pupils to revisit and build upon key musical concepts regularly, supporting long-term memory and increasingly confident musical understanding.

The Charanga curriculum supports progressive development in both technical skill and musical understanding. Pupils gradually develop increasing control and confidence when using their voices and instruments, while also building understanding of musical concepts such as rhythm, pulse, pitch, tempo and notation. All pupils have the opportunity to learn a tuned instrument in Key Stage 2 through specialist teaching, supporting both technical progression and musical confidence.

Musical Development

Pupils develop musically through listening, performing, composing and evaluating, with these elements taught in an integrated way so that children understand music as a connected discipline rather than as isolated skills. Alongside technical development, pupils also develop expressive understanding, learning how music can communicate meaning, emotion, culture and identity.

Through the curriculum, pupils explore a wide range of musical genres, traditions and styles from different historical periods and cultures, helping them to develop respect for diverse musical expression and informed opinions about music. Pupils are encouraged to listen critically, reflect on musical choices and express their own ideas creatively and collaboratively.

Enrichment

Enrichment opportunities, including performances, assemblies, choirs and wider musical experiences, further enhance the curriculum and allow pupils to showcase their talents and creativity. Through the curriculum, pupils are encouraged to become confident, reflective and expressive musicians who appreciate the role music plays across different cultures and communities.