Music
Intent
Music at Watling Meadows nurtures confidence, creativity and cultural appreciation. Our curriculum ensures that every child, regardless of background or ability, engages in singing, performing, composing and listening. We aspire to build musical understanding and joy through inclusive, rich experiences.
Implementation
Through a structured progression of units, pupils develop key musical skills such as rhythm, pitch, dynamics and notation. Lessons incorporate diverse genres, instruments and traditions. Adaptations—including visual rhythm cards, simplified notation and varied instrumental options—ensure full access for all pupils.
Impact
Pupils grow into confident performers and reflective listeners. They appreciate global musical traditions, collaborate effectively and express themselves creatively. By Year 6, they can interpret notation, compose simple pieces and perform with assurance.
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 | |
| Reception | Exploring sound | Celebration music | Music and movement | Musical stories | Transport | Big band |
| Year One | Keeping the pulse (Theme: My favourite things) | Tempo (Theme: Snail and mouse) | Dynamics (Theme: Seaside) | Sound patterns (Theme: Fairytales) | Pitch (Theme: Superheroes) | Musical symbols (Theme: Under the sea) |
| Year Two | Call and response (Theme: Animals) | Instruments (Theme: Musical storytelling) | Singing (Theme: On this island) | Contrasting dynamics (Theme: Space) | Structure (Theme: Myths and legends) | Pitch (Theme: Musical me) |
| Year Three | Ballads | Creating compositions in response to an animation (Theme: Mountains) | Developing singing technique (Theme: the Vikings) | Pentatonic melodies and composition (Theme: Chinese New Year) | Jazz | Traditional instruments and improvisation (Theme: India) |
| Year Four | Body and tuned percussion (Theme: Rainforests) | Rock and roll | Changes in pitch, tempo and dynamics (Theme: Rivers) | Haiku, music and performance (Theme: Hanami festival) | Samba and carnival sounds and instruments (Theme: South America) | Adapting and transposing motifs (Theme: Romans) |
| Year Five | Composition notation (Theme: Ancient Egypt) | Blues | South and West Africa | Composition to represent the festival of colour (Theme: Holi festival) | Looping and remixing | Musical theatre |
| Year Six | Dynamics, pitch and texture (Theme: Coast) | Songs of World War 2 | Film music | Theme and variations (Theme: Pop Art) | Baroque | Composing and performing a Leavers' song |
