Ullesthorpe CE Primary School

Music Curriculum Intent Statement

'A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.’ (Department of Education, National Curriculum.)

At Ullesthorpe Primary School we use the CUSP curriculum which aims to ensure that all pupils gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. Our objective is to develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music, and an unbiased respect for the role that music may wish to be expressed in any person’s life. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community, and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts.

CUSP MUSIC CURRICULUM

Each block includes the study of significant musicians and musical works, with the intention of exposing pupils to a wide range of music that will inspire them and connect them to the world around them.

Core areas of study include singing, listening and appraising, composing and improvising and instrumental performance. These are built cumulatively throughout the curriculum to ensure that all pupils develop their engagement with, and knowledge of, music over time. This includes a focus on learning to play a range of instruments confidently. CUSP Music aims to build a strong and rich musical culture in schools, in which pupils can thrive.

As with all CUSP subjects, CUSP Music has a strong emphasis on the language that pupils need to explore their own musicality. This is carefully and deliberately planned so that pupils revisit and embed this knowledge over time.

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Using a variety of instruments as well as their own voices, we strive to promote creativity and curiosity with opportunities to make original compositions, encouraging the children to comment, evaluate and offer advice on their own work and that of their peers within a safe environment to do so. Developing a wide range of vocabulary so that they can be confident when discussing the subject. Pupils are encouraged to experiment, through improvisation and composition, to find different ways in which to be creative, express a feeling or as a form of communication as well as develop performance skills. We aim to provide children with the opportunity to confidently progress in their creativity and expression along with working with others. 

Music Development Plan

All schools are encouraged to have a music development plan, as set out in the national plan for music education.

Schools are asked to publish a summary of their music development plan on their website in order to:

• Raise awareness of their music development plan
• promote the school music offer to parents and prospective parents
• Give greater opportunity for schools and music hubs to work together. 

Our music development plan is attached below: