Share This Page

Music

At Bamford Academy we are Musicians!

Our children are at the heart of everything we do, and in Music we want every child to see themselves as someone who can sing, perform, compose and listen with confidence and joy. Music is one of the ways we help our children grow into lifelong learners who are happy, ambitious and curious about the world around them. It is also where our core values come to life every day - Respect, Perseverance, Kindness, Acceptance and Responsibility - from encouraging a classmate during rehearsal to taking pride in a shared performance. You can read more on our Our Values page and in our Headteacher’s Welcome.

We hope this page helps you understand what your child will experience in Music and how you can share in their learning journey.

Music at Bamford - At a glance

Who: every child from Reception to Year 6 is encouraged to see themselves as a Musician.
How much: Music is taught through weekly discrete lessons from Year 1 to Year 6.
What: a carefully sequenced curriculum based on the Sing Up Music Curriculum, ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum through a two-year cycle suited to our mixed-age structure.
How: practical, engaging lessons that include singing, body percussion, classroom percussion, tuned instruments, listening, movement, composition and performance.
Key strands: singing, listening, performing, composing, improvising and understanding musical elements (pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and notation).
Inclusive: every child experiences success regardless of prior musical experience, with adaptations that keep high expectations for all.
Performance & enrichment: regular opportunities through assemblies, choir, concerts, school productions and community events.
Values & British values: Music develops Respect, Perseverance, Kindness, Acceptance and Responsibility, and supports Mutual Respect, Individual Liberty, Democracy, the Rule of Law and Tolerance.

Intent: Why we teach Music at Bamford Academy

We teach Music so that every child can develop their musical potential, foster a lifelong appreciation of music, and leave Bamford Academy with the confidence to sing, perform, compose and listen critically to music from a wide range of cultures, genres and historical periods.

Music is a vital part of every child’s education. It develops creativity, confidence, resilience and self-expression whilst promoting teamwork, cultural understanding and emotional wellbeing. Our curriculum follows the carefully sequenced Sing Up Music Curriculum, ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum. Pupils progressively develop the key strands of singing, listening, performing, composing, improvising and understanding musical elements including pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and notation.

Each unit builds upon prior knowledge through carefully planned progression, allowing children to revisit and deepen understanding whilst making meaningful musical connections. Children experience music from diverse cultures and traditions, promoting inclusivity and broadening cultural capital. Music supports our whole-school values of Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Acceptance and Perseverance, ensuring every child experiences success regardless of prior musical experience.

What do we want every child to achieve in Music?

Develop confidence and skill in singing, performing, composing and listening critically
Build a secure understanding of musical elements and vocabulary
Experience and appreciate music from a wide range of cultures, genres and historical periods
Grow in creativity, resilience, teamwork and self-expression
Leave primary school with a lifelong love of music and readiness for secondary Music education

How does Music help children learn about British values?

Music is a natural place to practise the values that matter in modern Britain. Children learn Mutual Respect by listening carefully and valuing others during ensemble work; Individual Liberty by expressing ideas creatively through composition and performance; Democracy by making group decisions about performances; the Rule of Law by following agreed rehearsal routines and performance expectations; and Tolerance by appreciating music from different cultures, traditions and historical periods. Our school values of Respect, Perseverance, Kindness, Acceptance and Responsibility run through every unit - from supporting a classmate during rehearsal to persevering when refining a performance.

Implementation: How we teach Music at Bamford Academy

Music is taught weekly using the Sing Up Music Curriculum, providing structured lessons that are practical, engaging and progressive.

Lessons include singing, body percussion, classroom percussion, tuned instruments, listening activities, movement, composition and performance. Teachers use high-quality modelling, retrieval practice, discussion, live performance opportunities and formative assessment to ensure progression. Units have clearly sequenced learning objectives and progression milestones, enabling pupils to build musical knowledge and skills over time. Cross-curricular links are made where appropriate, whilst maintaining music as a distinct subject. Pupils regularly perform individually, in small groups and to wider audiences through concerts, assemblies, choir and school productions.

What are the key principles behind our Music teaching?

Practical and inclusive: lessons are centred on active music-making so every child experiences success, regardless of previous musical knowledge.
Singing underpins all learning: supporting pitch development, musical memory and confidence.
Clear pedagogical approach: teachers use the I do, We do, You do model alongside retrieval practice, questioning, collaborative learning and regular opportunities for rehearsal and reflection.
Progressive sequencing: each unit builds on prior knowledge so children revisit and deepen understanding of musical elements over time.
Diverse musical experiences: children encounter a wide range of genres, cultures and traditions, broadening cultural capital and promoting inclusivity.
Performance opportunities: regular chances to perform in class, assemblies, choir, concerts, productions and community events.

In the classroom: Menu Song (Years 1 and 2 – Cycle A, Autumn 1)

In this unit, children learn and perform a cumulative kitchen-themed song from memory, play classroom instruments on the beat, copy a leader in call-and-response singing using mi-re-do, and listen and move in time to the music. They create a dramatic group performance using kitchen-themed props and explore pulse, rhythm, pitch and melody.

Children develop confidence through group performance, learn to care for instruments and equipment, and practise encouraging classmates. They experience Mutual Respect by valuing others’ ideas, Individual Liberty by expressing ideas creatively, and Perseverance by practising until the performance improves.

You may notice your child… humming or singing the Menu Song at home; moving in time to music; talking about beat, pulse or call-and-response; or showing pride in performing with others. Joining in with these moments is a wonderful way to share their learning.

Impact: What children achieve in Music

By the time children leave Bamford Academy, we expect them to be enthusiastic, confident Musicians who enjoy making music and understand its value within society.

They demonstrate increasing musical vocabulary, perform with growing confidence, compose using a range of musical elements and listen critically to a variety of musical styles. Progress is measured through ongoing teacher assessment, pupil performance, discussion, recordings and end-of-unit outcomes. Participation in performances, choir and wider musical opportunities demonstrates increased confidence, resilience and enjoyment, preparing pupils well for secondary Music education and lifelong musical participation.

What does success look like in Music?

Success is not about a perfect performance or a flawless composition. It looks like a child who is willing to join in singing, ready to try a new rhythm or instrument, and resilient when something needs more practice. It sounds like a child using musical vocabulary accurately to talk about pitch, pulse or dynamics, offering kind encouragement to a classmate, and reflecting on how a performance has improved. And it grows as children connect classroom learning with performances, assemblies and choir, recognise the value of music from different cultures, and take pride in their own and others’ achievements.

What your child will learn in Music: Curriculum Overview

Music units are planned across two-year cycles. Years 1 and 2, Years 3 and 4, and Years 5 and 6 follow Cycle A and Cycle B. Key ideas are revisited and deepened over time. Music is celebrated throughout school life through classroom learning, assemblies, performances, choir and wider enrichment opportunities. Open each section below to see the units your child will study. The full plan is available to download further down this page.

Foundation Stage – Reception (Expressive Arts and Design)

Children explore music through first-hand experiences, play and adult-led activities as part of Expressive Arts and Design.

Exploring Sound
Celebration Music
Music and Movement
Musical Stories
Transport
Big Band

Years 1 and 2 – Cycle A

Autumn 1: Menu Song
Autumn 2: Colonel Hathi’s march and Magical Musical Aquarium
Spring 1: Football
Spring 2: Who stole my chickens and my hens?
Summer 1: Dancing and drawing to Nautilus; Cat and mouse
Summer 2: Come dance with me

Years 1 and 2 – Cycle B

Autumn 1: Tony Chesnut
Autumn 2: Carnival of the animals; Musical conversations
Spring 1: Grandma rap
Spring 2: Sing a long with Shostakovich; Charlie Chaplin
Summer 1: The rockpool rock
Summer 2: Tanczymy labada

Years 3 and 4 – Cycle A

Autumn 1: I’ve been to Harlem
Autumn 2: Chilled out clap rap
Spring 1: Latin dance (classroom percussion)
Spring 2: March from The Nutcracker; From a Railway carriage
Summer 1: Just three notes; Samba with Sergio
Summer 2: Fly with stars (classroom percussion)

Years 3 and 4 – Cycle B

Autumn 1: This little light of mine
Autumn 2: My fantasy football team
Spring 1: The doot doot song
Spring 2: Fanfare for the common man; Spain
Summer 1: Global pentatonic; The horse in motion
Summer 2: Favourite song

Years 5 and 6 – Cycle A

Autumn 1: What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
Autumn 2: Why we sing?; Introduction to songwriting
Spring 1: Madina tun nabi
Spring 2: Hey, Mr Miller
Summer 1: Baloo Baleerie
Summer 2: Kisne banaaya

Years 5 and 6 – Cycle B

Autumn 1: Building a groove; Epoca
Autumn 2: Shadows; Composing for protest
Spring 1: Dona nobis pacem
Spring 2: Ain’t gonna let nobody
Summer 1: Race!; Exploring identity through songs
Summer 2: Ame sau vala tara bal

How you can help your child with Music at home

You do not need to be a Musician – just curious and supportive! Singing together, listening to a wide range of music, talking about how music makes you feel, and celebrating perseverance when learning something new are all simple ways to support your child.

View and download our Music curriculum documents:

Music Curriculum Statement – Intent, Implementation and Impact Music Policy

Would you prefer a paper copy? We are happy to provide a free printed copy of any of these documents please ask at the school office, call 01706 631496 or email office@bamfordacademy.co.uk

Supporting every child

Music is for every child at Bamford Academy. Lessons are fully inclusive and adapted to meet individual needs. Teachers provide scaffolded learning, visual prompts, simplified instructions, repetition, modelling, flexible grouping and additional adult support where appropriate. Practical activities allow pupils to demonstrate understanding without relying solely on written outcomes. Adapted instruments, technology, movement, call-and-response activities and multi-sensory learning ensure all children can access the curriculum. Success is measured from individual starting points whilst maintaining high expectations for every learner. You can read more about how we support children on our SEND page.

If you feel your child might need extra support or extra challenge in Music, please talk to your child’s teacher. We will always work with you to find the right way forward.

Frequently Asked Questions about Music at Bamford Academy

How much Music will my child do each week?

Music is taught through weekly discrete lessons using the Sing Up Music Curriculum from Year 1 to Year 6. In Reception, Music is explored as part of Expressive Arts and Design. Music is also celebrated through assemblies, singing, performances, choir and school productions.

Does Bamford Academy follow the National Curriculum for Music?

Yes. Our curriculum follows the carefully sequenced Sing Up Music Curriculum, ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum through a two-year cycle suited to our mixed-age structure. Pupils progressively develop singing, listening, performing, composing, improvising and understanding of musical elements. Our long-term overview shows what is taught in each year group from Reception to Year 6.

Will my child get to perform and take part in music beyond lessons?

Yes. Pupils regularly perform individually, in small groups and to wider audiences through concerts, assemblies, choir and school productions. There are strong links between classroom learning and enrichment activities, and music is celebrated throughout school life.

How is Music made inclusive for all children?

Music lessons are fully inclusive. Teachers provide scaffolded learning, visual prompts, simplified instructions, repetition, modelling, flexible grouping and additional adult support where appropriate. Practical activities, adapted instruments, technology and multi-sensory approaches ensure every child can access the curriculum and experience success from their individual starting points.

How do teachers check how my child is doing in Music?

Progress is measured through ongoing teacher assessment, pupil performance, discussion, recordings and end-of-unit outcomes. Teachers use formative assessment, feedback and self-reflection to monitor progress and inform future teaching. If you have questions about your child’s progress, please speak to their class teacher.

Will my child learn about careers linked to Music?

Yes. Through the curriculum, children learn that music offers a wide variety of career pathways beyond performing. Pupils explore the work of Composers, Conductors, Producers, Arrangers, Sound Engineers, Music Therapists, classroom Teachers, Instrumental Tutors, Performers, Broadcasters, Technicians and those working within theatre, film, television and the creative industries. Exposure to diverse musical traditions and live performance opportunities helps broaden aspirations and shows how musical skills such as teamwork, communication, creativity and perseverance are valuable across many future careers.

Get in touch

Our Music Subject Lead, Miss N Dickson, welcomes questions and queries about Music, and we would love to hear from you.

If you have any questions about the curriculum, would like to find out more about how to support your child, or would like a free printed copy of any document please ask at the school office, call 01706 631496 or email office@bamfordacademy.co.uk