What do we want children to learn?

At Ashbury CE Primary School, we believe that music will develop our children’s curiosity, confidence and determination in our creative curriculum. We believe that music gives our pupils the skills, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to express themselves through a variety of experiences.

Through a repetition-based approach to learning, children will gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing. Our school community will develop their 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​.

How do we teach Music?

At Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp, we follow the Charanga scheme for Music.

Each unit of work comprises of musical learning which corresponds with the national curriculum for music: listening and appraising, musical activities and performing. Charanga Musical School Units of Work enable children to understand musical concepts through a repetition-based approach to learning. Learning about the same musical concept through different musical activities enables a more secure, deeper learning and mastery of musical skills. Repeating a musical skill doesn’t necessarily mean their progress is slowing down or their development is moving backwards! It's just shifting within the spiral. Mastery means both a deeper understanding of musical skills and concepts and learning something new.

With mixed year groups, we have developed a two-year rolling programme to alleviate repetition. We also have fortnightly violin lessons in Key Stage 2 which sits alongside the Charanga Scheme.

On leaving Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp CofE Primary School, children will:

• be able to confidently play multiple instruments, including: violins and glockenspiels
• be ready to take any opportunities at secondary school to continue with their learning, joining orchestras and other musical groups.
• have a developed awareness of musical genres and an appreciation of a range of musical styles.
• have developed long term cognitive abilities and greater timing and dexterity through their music lessons at Ashbury.

Music Curriculum Overview