Music

Music Curriculum at Castle Carrock

Music Curriculum at Castle Carrock Primary School

At Castle Carrock Primary School, we believe that music is a vital part of a broad and balanced education. It nurtures creativity, builds confidence, and brings our school community together. Our Music curriculum is based on the Kapow Primary scheme, which provides a progressive and engaging approach to music education, ensuring that all children develop their musical knowledge, skills, and appreciation.

 Our Curriculum Structure

Music is taught across Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6). The Kapow scheme follows a spiral curriculum model, meaning key musical concepts are revisited and built upon over time, allowing children to deepen their understanding and develop mastery.

• Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2):
  Pupils are introduced to the foundations of music through singing, listening, movement, and playing instruments. They explore rhythm, pitch, tempo, and dynamics, and begin to express themselves musically through simple compositions and performances.
• Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6):
  Children continue to develop their musical understanding through more complex activities. They explore a wide range of musical genres and traditions, learn to read and write basic musical notation, and engage in composing, improvising, and performing with increasing confidence and skill.

The curriculum is designed to be inclusive and accessible, ensuring that every child, regardless of background or ability, can enjoy and succeed in music.

 Impact: What Our Pupils Gain

By the end of Key Stage 2, our pupils will:

• Have a secure understanding of musical elements such as pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and structure.
• Be confident in performing, composing, and appraising music.
• Appreciate a wide range of musical styles, genres, and cultures.
• Be equipped with the skills and enthusiasm to continue their musical journey into secondary education and beyond.

Our Music curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains ambitious and inclusive.

 Singing, Instruments & Performance

Music at Castle Carrock Primary is brought to life through regular opportunities to sing and play a wide variety of tuned and untuned instruments, including percussion and xylophones.  Singing is a central part of our school culture, with weekly singing assemblies that bring the whole school together to learn and enjoy music as a community.

Performance is a key element of our music provision. Pupils regularly showcase their talents through events such as:

• The annual Harvest Festival where younger and older children sing and act for families and the wider school community.
• The annual Nativity performance, where younger pupils sing and act for families and the wider school community.
• Carol singing in the local church community , helping children connect with and contribute to the life of the village.
• The Annual Easter Service, where pupils sing and play instruments for families and the wider school community.
• The Annual Key Stage 2 play performance.
• Participation in CET-wide events, such as Shine, where pupils perform alongside peers from other schools, celebrating their musical achievements on a larger stage.
• Bi-annual participation in the Carlisle Cathedral Outreach concert where KS2 perform for families and the local area along with the Cantate Choir.

We also have a peripatetic music teacher- David Wood who comes in to school weekly to teach the children how to play instruments including Guitar, piano and keyboard.

 Music in the Early Years (EYFS)

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, music is introduced through the Expressive Arts and Design area of learning, supported by the Kapow Primary EYFS scheme. Children experience music through singing, dancing, listening, and exploring sounds using instruments and everyday objects. They are encouraged to express themselves creatively, develop their sense of rhythm and pitch, and build confidence through musical play. These early experiences lay the foundation for musical understanding and enjoyment, preparing children for more structured learning in Key Stage 1.