Intent

At Berewood Primary School, our intention is to give all children a rich and enjoyable musical education that inspires creativity, confidence and a lifelong love of music. In line with the National Curriculum, we aim for children to develop skills in listening, singing, performing, composing and appraising music, while also learning about a wide range of musical styles, traditions and cultures.

We want children to see music as a way to express themselves, work collaboratively with others and experience success. Our music curriculum promotes inclusion and equality of opportunity, ensuring that every child, regardless of background or ability, can take part in high‑quality musical experiences and discover their own musical interests and talents.

How we teach Music (Implementation)

Music at Berewood Primary School is taught using the Hampshire Music Service units of work, which are carefully mapped to the National Curriculum and ensure clear progression across the school. These units provide structured and engaging lessons that develop children’s musical knowledge, skills and understanding year on year.

Children regularly sing, listen to music from different genres and cultures, compose their own pieces and perform using voices and instruments. Musical vocabulary and skills are revisited and built upon to help children develop confidence and musical fluency.

As part of our curriculum, all children learn to play tuned and untuned instruments:

• Year 1–3 pupils complete a unit each academic year learning to play the ocarina, helping them develop early instrumental skills, breath control and pitch.
• Year 4–6 pupils learn to play the recorder, building fluency, notation reading and ensemble performance skills.
• All year groups also take part in a unit of work using boom‑whackers, developing rhythm, teamwork and pulse through whole‑class music making.

To enrich our music provision further, we work closely with peripatetic music teachers, who offer instrumental lessons such as guitar and brass, alongside specialist programmes including Rock Steady, giving pupils the opportunity to rehearse and perform in a band. Music across the school is enhanced through singing assemblies and concerts, visiting music workshops (such as African drumming) and a musical theatre after‑school club, where children can combine singing, acting and performance.

Impact

As a result of our music curriculum, children at Berewood Primary School develop confidence in singing, performing and talking about music. They gain an understanding of different musical styles, cultures and traditions, and can listen to music with increasing attention and awareness. Children enjoy expressing themselves musically and working collaboratively with others.

By the time they leave Berewood, pupils have experienced a wide range of musical opportunities and many have learned to play an instrument or perform as part of a group. They leave with a positive attitude towards music, an appreciation of its importance in everyday life and the confidence to continue their musical journey at secondary school and beyond.