Curriculum Statement for Music
Music at Lancaster Lane Primary and Pre-School is taught through a dedicated unit every term. We follow the Kapow Primary scheme, which aligns with the Department for Education music curriculum. Music lessons are structured in line with the school’s teaching and learning policy, providing opportunities for both pre- and post-unit assessments, the use of Lancy Lane Learner skills, and the embedding of key concepts.
Each unit includes opportunities for innovation, composition, and performance. These are recorded and evaluated by the children to support reflection and assessment. Knowledge is drawn from the National Curriculum, and the selected unit coverage ensures clear progression in learning from EYFS through to upper KS2. In addition, a weekly singing assembly exposes children to a range of musical genres and celebrates significant cultural events, such as Black History Month and Pride Month.
EYFS
In EYFS, music is embedded throughout the curriculum and plays a significant role in daily routines, including phonics and language development. Children begin by learning and participating in familiar nursery rhymes. They develop the ability to remember sequences and patterns of movement related to music and rhythm through activities such as phonics, singing rhymes, and morning movement sessions. Children are encouraged to join in with repeated refrains and rhythmic language.
In Reception, children sing simple, well-known songs and rhymes while also being introduced to new daily rhymes. Children then begin to describe the sounds they hear. There are also opportunities for children to learn and perform songs and actions during events such as the Christmas Nativity and Easter celebrations.
Key Stage One
In KS1, children learn key musical concepts such as pulse, rhythm, and dynamics, progressing towards simple notation and pictorial representations of music by Year 2. Pupils are exposed to a variety of untuned percussion instruments and are expected to be able to identify at least three instruments by the time they move into KS2. KS1 children are given opportunities to perform, particularly through Nativity productions.
Key Stage Two
In KS2, children are introduced to a wider variety of genres and styles. The curriculum builds on prior knowledge and skills, introducing more advanced musical concepts such as timbre, motifs, tempo, and pitch, the pentatonic scale, and major and minor key signatures.
In Year 3, children learn to play a tuned instrument, such as the glockenspiel, following the Kapow scheme. Year 6 pupils work with Lancashire Music Service, receiving weekly brass lessons. They are provided with a brass instrument to take home and practice. Year 6 children then have the opportunity to perform their learned pieces to an audience including parents at Christmas and the end of the year.
KS2 pupils take part in a carol service as well as a “Christmas Cracker” performance.
Inclusion within Music
Music provision at Lancaster Lane is inclusive and accessible to all pupils. Strategies include the use of ear defenders, pre-teaching of instruments and technical vocabulary, and approaches aligned with the school’s teaching and learning policies, such as regulation stations and movement breaks. Music also supports speech and language development.
Additional support includes adult assistance where needed, effective communication methods, and ensuring that space and resources are accessible to all pupils. Visual and pictorial aids are used to support understanding of musical vocabulary, such as dynamics and timbre.
Assessment
Assessment is an integral part of our music curriculum, in alignment with our Teaching and Learning policy. Each unit includes pre- and post-unit assessments, where the children’s final compositions are recorded and evaluated by both the pupils and the class teacher. These are used for assessment by the class teacher and subject lead. Assessment outcomes inform future planning and track progress.
Pupil voice is gathered twice a year by the subject lead, who also monitors medium-term plans and conducts lesson observations every term to ensure consistency and quality of provision.
Enrichment Opportunities within School
The school provides a range of enrichment opportunities in music. The choir performs at Christmas, including visits to local care homes. Children also perform Christmas productions for parents and families, and take part in talent shows.
Weekly fee-paying guitar lessons are also available for pupils who wish to further develop their instrumental skills.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Subject leader: Megan Inskip
The subject leader can be contacted via the school office. Tel: 01772 433641