The Music Curriculum at Holy Trinity Primary School

Music is a vital part of life at Holy Trinity CE Primary School. It helps pupils to develop key skills such as self and social awareness, improved concentration and attention, and self-discipline. Music also supports wellbeing — research shows that listening to and participating in music can improve blood flow, reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and increase serotonin and endorphin levels.

Children begin to explore music in the Early Years, when they are encouraged to sing, listen to sounds, and respond creatively through movement and expression. As they move through the school, children build upon these early experiences by developing musical knowledge, understanding, and skills through a structured and progressive curriculum. Music is taught weekly, and pupils have regular opportunities to sing and perform in assemblies and special events, which help to develop confidence and teamwork. 

INTENT

The intent of the Music curriculum at Holy Trinity CE Primary School is to provide a high-quality and inclusive education that inspires creativity, self-expression, and a lifelong love of music. Our intent is shaped by the National Curriculum for Music and delivered through the Kapow Primary Music Scheme, which provides a clear and consistent progression of knowledge and skills from EYFS to Year 6.

Through Kapow, children explore the interrelated dimensions of music — pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, and structure — through performing, composing, and listening activities. We aim for all children to gain a solid understanding of musical concepts while developing their confidence, creativity, and appreciation for a wide variety of musical styles and traditions.

Music lessons are taught for approximately 30–45 minutes each week. The Kapow Primary Music Scheme supports teachers in delivering engaging, practical lessons that include singing, playing instruments, listening, composing, and performing. Skills are revisited and built upon each year to ensure children develop a deep understanding of music as they progress through school.

Children are encouraged to express themselves musically, both individually and as part of a group. They listen to and appraise music from a range of cultures, styles, and time periods. Opportunities for performance are an important part of school life and include singing in assemblies, praise and worship, and taking part in key stage productions. Pupils with SEND are fully included in lessons and supported with differentiated activities to meet their individual needs.

Our aims:

By the end of their time at Holy Trinity, children will have developed the ability to perform, compose, and listen with understanding and enjoyment. They will have gained an appreciation of music from different times and places, and learned to express their opinions about music using appropriate vocabulary.

Music plays an important role in bringing our school community together. Through shared performances and experiences, pupils learn to work collaboratively, celebrate one another’s achievements, and take pride in their musical learning.

ADDITIONAL MUSIC ACTIVITIES

- Children in Key Stage 1 perform a musical nativity every Christmas for parents and families.

- Children in year 6 perform a musical play at the end of each year as part of their leavers ceremony.

- Miss Mercer, our LKS2 teacher and music subject leader runs a choir club each week, where children practise to perform for different audiences within and beyond school.