Music

At Gladstone Primary Academy, music is a highly valued subject, it supports our pupils in building a sense of community, and they grow in confidence through shared performances and singing. It enables them to show their creativity through the compositions and sounds they make and helps us to build the cultural capital of our children.

The music curriculum is underpinned by the Charanga Scheme and delivered by a specialist teacher.

Music is taught from EYFS to Year 6 and is built around a spiral progression to ensure skills are revisited and built upon each year.

Each year group is taught a unit each half-term. Each unit is made up of 6 lessons (steps). 

The units of work comprise the strands of musical learning which correspond with the National Curriculum for music:

  • Listening and Appraising
  • Musical Activities
  • Performing

 

Knowledge Progression Table (Years 1-6)

Skill Area

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Listening & Appraising

Know 5 songs by heart; recognise instruments; enjoy moving to music

Know 5 songs; understand chorus/response; songs tell stories

Know 5 songs & styles; identify sections & instruments; discuss lyrics & feelings

Know 5 songs & styles; identify musical dimensions.

Know 5 songs; style indicators; historical context; compare songs

Know 5 songs; style indicators; historical context; compare songs; musical identity

Games (Pulse, Rhythm, Pitch)

Find pulse; copy rhythms; pitch copy back.

Find pulse; copy rhythms; add high/low sounds

Know difference between pulse & rhythm; understand how pulse, rhythm & pitch work together

Understand pulse, rhythm, pitch and musical leadership.

Understand pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, texture; syncopation and leadership

Understand pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, texture; syncopation and leadership

Singing

Sing/rap 5 songs in unison; start/stop with leader

Sing 5 songs in unison; warm-ups and correct singing position

Sing in unison & simple two-parts; explore solo singing

Sing in unison & two-parts; explore solo; awareness of tuning

Sing in unison & backing vocals; solo & rap; strong internal pulse and sense of rhythm

Sing in unison & backing vocals; solo & rap; represent style & context of the song

Playing Instruments

 play simple rhythms; treat instruments with respect

Play tuned parts in time with pulse; know some instrument names

Introduce notation

Play differentiated parts or melody; introduce using notation or memory

Play any part or melody; rehearse & perform; lead playing

Play with correct technique; use notation; lead rehearsal

Play with correct technique; use notation; lead rehearsal; know treble stave

Improvisation

Improvise using percussion instruments, clap & improvise rhythms

Improvise using 1–2 notes

Bronze: 1 note; Silver: 1–2 notes; Gold: up to 3 notes

Bronze: 1 note; Silver: 1–2 notes; Gold: up to 3 notes

Bronze: 2 notes; Silver: 3 notes; Gold: 4 notes; know famous improvisers

Bronze: 3 notes; Silver: 4 notes; Gold: 5 notes; know famous improvisers; style-specific improvisation

Composition

Create simple rhythms; learn notation basics

Create simple melodies (1, 3, or 5 notes); begin to learn notation & changes

Create melody (1–5 notes); plan & record composition

Create melody (1–5 notes); plan & record; reflect & refine

Create melody (up to 5 notes); explain keynote; record & reflect

Create melody (up to 5 notes); explain keynote; record & reflect; connect sound & symbol

Performance

Perform learned song; add ideas; record & reflect feelings

Perform for audience; add ideas; record & reflect feelings

Perform for audience; communicate meaning; reflect on what worked

Perform for audience; communicate meaning; reflect on feelings

Perform for audience; communicate meaning; reflect & compare performances

Perform for audience; communicate meaning; reflect & compare performances; discuss improvements