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Music

What does Music look like at South Wonston?

Intent

At South Wonston Primary School, we aim to foster a lifelong love of music in all pupils through engaging, high-quality musical experiences. Our curriculum is rooted in creativity, curiosity, and inspiration—nurturing self-confidence, self-esteem, and collaboration.

We provide an inclusive, progressive, and ambitious music curriculum that develops skills in performance, listening, singing, improvisation, and composition. All children are encouraged and empowered to reach their musical potential, both personally and academically.

Implementation 

Following the Ofsted Music Research Review (2021), we believe the central purpose of music education is for pupils to "make more music, think more musically, and become more musical." To support this, our practical, skills-based curriculum is built on three interrelated pillars:

1. Technical Pillar

Children develop technical competence through a variety of instruments—untuned and tuned percussion—supported by whole-class instrumental teaching (glockenspiel, recorder, pBuzz, ukulele). Vocal skills progress from unison singing in KS1 to two-part harmony in upper KS2. Notation is taught incrementally, from stick notation in KS1 to rhythm and pitch notation on a stave in KS2, using colour-coding to support pitch recognition.

2. Constructive Pillar

Pupils explore the interrelated dimensions of music—dynamics, pitch, tempo, timbre, duration, structure, and texture—applying these concepts in composition and performance. Skills are built systematically, revisiting key concepts across the years through a spiral curriculum.

3. Expressive Pillar

Creativity is central to our curriculum. Children are encouraged to express original ideas through open-ended tasks in KS1 and structured composition opportunities in KS2. Exposure to a wide range of genres enables children to explore their personal musical tastes and develop critical responses.

Early Years Foundation Stage 

Music is integrated holistically in EYFS using Musical Development Matters in the Early Years by Nicola Burke. Children engage in broad musical activities, with adults modelling, questioning, and leading musical moments. Music also supports early phonics learning, including sound discrimination and cued articulation.

Key Stage 1

Weekly music lessons are delivered by a specialist teacher. Our two-year rolling curriculum ensures progression, frequent revisiting of skills, and equal access for all learners, including those with SEND and those exceeding expectations. Support is provided through differentiated instruments, notation options, scaffolding, and adult support.

We work closely with the Hampshire Music Hub to enhance our provision through CPD, workshops, visiting musicians, and performance opportunities at local and national levels.

Class teachers are actively involved in music-making and singing, contributing to a rich musical culture across the school. Music plays a central role in school celebrations, bringing the community together for events such as Christmas and the Year 6 Leavers’ Performance.

Singing

Weekly whole-school singing assemblies bring the community together in shared music-making. Year 6 pupils can become Vocal Ambassadors, leading songs, choosing repertoire, and representing the school in the Hampshire Music Hub programme.

Singing is embedded throughout the school day—linked to learning topics, class routines, and performances such as sharing assemblies. Our open-access KS2 choir performs at various events, including the Young Voices concert at the O2 Arena.

Listening

Children are encouraged to share and reflect on the music they love. Assemblies often include student-selected pieces, offering opportunities to explore different genres and articulate personal preferences.

Throughout the year, pupils attend live music events—such as orchestral concerts for KS1—and host visiting musicians in school (The Band of Bugles and Rifles). Listening activities are embedded in every music unit, developing aural memory and contextual understanding, with links to historical and cross-curricular learning.

Playing

Music lessons are rooted in active sound-making. Pupils use a wide range of tuned and untuned instruments and music technology. KS1 pupils explore percussion, rhythm, and timbre, gradually progressing to tuned percussion and stave notation.

Instrumental tuition is available to all pupils through peripatetic teachers, with regular performance opportunities to showcase progress.

Improving and Composing

Creativity is embedded in all musical learning. Pupils improvise and compose individually and collaboratively, developing leadership, teamwork, and reflective thinking. They learn to evaluate and refine their work using musical language and peer feedback.

Understanding

Musical understanding is developed through structured discussions focused on the interrelated dimensions of music. Pupils learn to connect concepts, articulate their emotional responses, and explore the impact of music on wellbeing. Music encourages mutual respect and builds lifelong personal and social skills.

Impact

Our pupils are enthusiastic, engaged, and confident musicians. They develop the skills to enjoy and appreciate music throughout their lives and are well-prepared to pursue further musical education.

They leave South Wonston as:

  • Confident performers

  • Creative composers

  • Active and thoughtful listeners

…with a deep respect for music from a variety of genres, cultures, and time periods.