" Music can change the world because it can change people" (Bono)

We value music as a powerful form of communication and we hope to develop and foster a sense of school community and connectedness through music. Our aim is to provide a high-quality music education, which promotes joy and celebration, experimentation, critical thinking, risk taking, curiosity and imagination.

Music is all around us and we aim to use it as vehicle to:

• enable children to relax;
• develop critical thinking;
• build self-confidence by learning how to play an instrument;
• foster a sense of achievement;
• help to develop memory, language and reasoning; and promote a sense of belonging. 

How do we teach Music?

Throughout the school we use Charanga, as our music scheme to teach music. This is in line with the DfE Model Music Curriculum (2021). Each music lesson consists of 4 elements that contribute towards the steadily increasing development of musicianship:

• Singing

• Listening

• Composing

• Performing/Instrumental Performance

To develop children’s ability and confidence to sing and perform, whole school singing assemblies take place fortnightly, which are led by the Music Lead. In EYFS and the Lower Phase, children explore using their voices by singing songs, chants and rhymes. They enjoy experimenting with different sounds, listening to and discussing music. There are also regular opportunities for children to explore making music using tuned and untuned musical instruments. 

 In the Upper Phase, the children build upon the skills learnt in previous years and therefore gain more confidence and control when singing and playing instruments. The children develop skills of accuracy, fluency, control and expression.  They are introduced to musical notation including staff and this is developed in Upper Key Stage 2. In Year 3, all children learn how to play the recorder and in Year 5, all children have a term of specialist tuition to learn a tuned instrument, from a teacher from Berkshire Music Trust.  

Parents also have the opportunity to pay for private music lessons for their child during school hours, with a private piano teacher. During the school year, there are opportunities for children who have private music lessons to showcase their talents to an audience. All children have the opportunity to sing in class assemblies to parents throughout the year. The School Choir is run weekly and there are many opportunities for the Choir to perform in school and in community events.

In 2024-2025, the School Choir are joining the Young Voices Choir at the O2 and will sing with thousands of other children from a number of Primary Schools across the country. In the Summer term, there is a whole-school Talent Show, where children have the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity to large audience.

In order to develop a culture of musical appreciation and understanding, children have the opportunity to listen to music from ‘Musician of the Month’ during assemblies, and discuss the genre and musician. This music has been carefully chosen to ensure that it is linked to the Equality Act and there is a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music, which is carefully drawn from different traditions, composers and musicians. 

By the time children leave Year 6, they will be able to:

• sing in harmony and with musical delivery,
• listen critically and gain a deeper understanding of how music is constructed and the impact it can have on the listener,
• perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of great composers and musicians,
• have experienced learning how to play a tuned musical instrument,
• understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations,
• use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes,
• experiment with, create, select and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music,
• use and understand staff and other musical notations.

Musician of the Month

Each month we celebrate a different musician, find out about them and enjoy listening to some of their music. The musician is displayed on our school music board, details of the musician are emailed home to parents and also updated below. The musician's music is played as children enter and exit assemblies during the month.   

December's Musician of the Month is Elton John

This month we celebrate the extraordinary life and timeless music of one of the greatest icons in the history of music - Sir Elton John. With his flamboyant style, powerful voice, and undeniable talent, Elton John has not only captured our hearts but also left a permanent mark on the world of entertainment. Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, Elton John's musical journey began at a tender age. His extraordinary gift for playing the piano was evident from the start, and it was through the keys of this instrument that he would become a world-famous icon.

Elton John's career spans over five decades, during which he has delivered hit after hit, captivating audiences across the globe. His unique blend of rock, pop, and ballads, coupled with heartfelt lyrics, has allowed him to touch the lives of millions. From "Rocket Man" to "Your Song" and "Candle in the Wind," his melodies have become the soundtrack of our lives, carrying messages of love, resilience, and the celebration of individuality.

Beyond his musical achievements, Elton John has also been a tireless advocate for various causes. Elton John has been an outspoken advocate and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community throughout his career. He has used his platform and personal experiences to promote acceptance, equality, and understanding for individuals who identify as

LGBTQ+. He has also sold over 300 million records worldwide!