Music

Intent

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon. (The National Curriculum.)

Our Music curriculum here at St Thomas’ is designed to provide a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum, ensuring a progressive development of knowledge, skills and musical concepts. It plays a vital role in preparing every child with the skills and understanding needed to engage with an appreciation of listening to, performing and enjoying music.

We aim to ensure that all pupils:

• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians
• Learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

Children at St Thomas’ are given the opportunity to join the school choir in KS2; have individual lessons with our visiting peripatetic teachers and learn to play tuned/non-tuned percussion instruments. We are partnered with Stockport Music Service, to help deliver high quality whole class instrumental tuition across Year 4 classes as part of the Music Mark Programme. Music Mark are a membership organisation, subject association, and charity. They advocate for excellent music education for all children and young people. The Music Mark School nomination system allows music hubs and services across the UK to nominate schools who they believe have shown a commitment to providing high-quality music education. A nomination means that our local music hub has recognised our school’s commitment to music and wants to celebrate it. Throughout the year, every Year 4 child will have the opportunity to learn 3 instruments: keyboard, samba drums and flute. Music is an important part of worship and praise to God at St Thomas’. God created us with the ability to sing and make music.

“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart”

– Ephesians 5:19

If you have any more questions about our curriculum, please use the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of this page.