Music
INTENT
At Hetton Lyons Primary School, our music curriculum brings children together through the universal language of music. We believe music is a powerful form of communication that enables all children to express themselves, build confidence and work collaboratively. Our aim is for every child to experience a high-quality, inspiring music education that develops creativity and fosters a lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of music. By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will have the knowledge and understanding of how music is created, performed and evaluated. They will be able to sing and play instruments with increasing accuracy, use musical vocabulary confidently, compose their own music and perform both independently and as part of an ensemble. Music is an important part of our curriculum because it supports emotional wellbeing, cultural awareness and personal development. Our key drivers are central to our intent: aspiration is promoted through exposure to a wide range of musical experiences and performance opportunities, endeavour is developed through practice, perseverance and teamwork and expression is embedded throughout, allowing children to share their ideas and emotions through music.
IMPLEMENTATION
Music at Hetton Lyons Primary School is carefully organised and sequenced to ensure clear progression from EYFS through to Year 6. In the Early Years, children explore music through singing, listening, movement and play, developing early musical awareness, rhythm and vocabulary and building confidence in expressing themselves. As pupils move through Key Stage 1, they develop secure musical knowledge by singing accurately, keeping a steady pulse, exploring basic notation and using simple subject-specific vocabulary. In Key Stage 2, learning deepens further as pupils develop increasing technical control when singing and playing instruments, compose and perform more complex pieces, read and record notation, and evaluate music using increasingly precise musical language. Progression is evident across knowledge, skills and vocabulary, with key concepts such as pitch, rhythm, tempo, dynamics and structure revisited and built upon each year. Music is taught weekly to allow depth of learning and is delivered in line with the National Curriculum, supported by the Sing Up Music scheme to ensure consistency and progression. Subject-specific approaches are central to implementation; singing is embedded throughout the school day and across the wider curriculum, music theory is taught discretely where appropriate and regular performance opportunities are provided. Our key drivers are embedded throughout implementation. Aspiration is promoted through exposure to high-quality musical experiences, specialist teaching and opportunities to perform. Endeavour is developed through rehearsal, practice and perseverance when learning new skills and instruments. Expression is prioritised by giving pupils regular opportunities to compose, perform and respond to music. A peripatetic music teacher works with each year group across the year to provide instrumental teaching, with additional individual lessons available in brass, woodwind, percussion and string instruments. Pupils learning brass are encouraged to join the school band, while weekly singing assemblies and a school choir further develop musical skills, confidence and enjoyment.
IMPACT
The impact of our music curriculum at Hetton Lyons Primary School is that children experience a fun, engaging and high-quality music education which builds confidence, creativity and enjoyment. Pupils achieve end-of-year and end-of-key-stage expectations and develop secure musical knowledge, skills and vocabulary, preparing them well for further learning at secondary school. Children gain an appreciation of music from different cultures, traditions and historical periods, supporting their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development as well as their emotional wellbeing. Pupil voice is valued and used to shape and strengthen the curriculum and children are introduced to possible pathways and careers in music. By the time they leave Hetton Lyons, pupils demonstrate our key drivers in action. Aspiration through confidence and ambition in music-making, endeavour through perseverance and commitment to improving their skills and expression through the ability to communicate ideas and emotions creatively through music.
WIDER OPPORTUNITIES
At Hetton Lyons Primary School, pupils are offered a wide range of musical enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom. Children in Key Stage 2 can access small-group instrumental tuition in woodwind, brass, percussion and guitar, delivered by specialist peripatetic teachers, with opportunities to work towards Royal Schools of Music exams. Our School Band meet weekly, allowing pupils to develop ensemble skills and perform together. Singing plays a central role in school life, with all pupils taking part in weekly singing assemblies and a School Choir open to children in Years 2 to 6, who regularly perform at school and community events such as Infantasia and City Sings. Strong community links, including Houghton Area Youth Band and Sunderland Youth Choir, further extend pupils’ musical experiences and encourage continued participation and enjoyment beyond school.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Children in Key Stage 2 can take part in small-group instrumental tuition in woodwind, brass, percussion or guitar. If you would like your child to access lessons or receive further information, please contact the school office. Pupils who receive brass instrumental tuition are encouraged to join the School Band, who meet weekly after school on a Wednesday. Children in Years 2 to 6 can also join the School Choir, who meet every Thursday after school and take part in a range of performances and events throughout the year. We have strong links with Houghton Area Youth Band and Sunderland Youth Choir. Information about these community opportunities is shared with families throughout the year to support continued musical involvement and progression beyond school.
Files to Download
