Intent

At Milstead & Frinsted C of E Primary School, we recognise that music plays a vital role in our children’s educational experience. Through a highly practical and engaging approach, we aim to cultivate an enduring love for music among our pupils. This encompasses not only performance and composition but also critical listening and appreciation. The diverse opportunities and experiences we provide, both within the classroom and beyond, enable our children to discover their individual musical preferences, while simultaneously developing transferable skills that will enhance their personal and academic growth.

We foster a compassionate and nurturing community that supports individual development and collective achievement. Our commitment to learning together ensures that each child receives the support they need, maximising every opportunity and ensuring that no moment is wasted. As a reflection of our Christian ethos, we strive to empower inquisitive stewards of the future, committed to giving, growing, and thriving. Drawing inspiration from the biblical narrative where Jesus blesses the food and it multiplies, we aspire to multiply and grow in ways that are spiritual, emotional, and academic.

Implementation

Anchored in our Christian values of compassion, stewardship, inquiry, and resilience, we employ the Kapow Primary Music Scheme. This curriculum is designed with the intention of fostering a self-concept as musical individuals in our children, nurturing a lifelong passion for music. It encompasses a comprehensive framework that encourages the development of essential skills, knowledge, and understanding required for confident performance, composition, and critical listening.

The curriculum introduces students to music from diverse cultures and eras, promoting respect and appreciation for a multitude of musical traditions. Children will engage in singing, playing both tuned and untuned instruments, improvisation, composition, and attentive listening. Furthermore, they will gain insights into the historical and cultural contexts of the music they study, including an understanding of musical notation. The development of key skills such as teamwork, leadership, and creative thinking will be integral, equipping pupils with essential competencies relevant to their broader lives.

Kapow’s mission aligns with the national curriculum’s end-of-key-stage attainment targets, delivering a holistic music education. The scheme interweaves various strands—performing, listening, composing, the history of music, and the inter-related dimensions of music—into cohesive and enriching learning experiences. Each five-lesson unit is crafted within a cross-curricular framework that captivates students’ imaginations, encouraging enthusiastic exploration of music.

Our implementation strategy extends to active participation in lessons that employ varied teaching methods—including independent tasks, group activities, improvisation, and teacher-led performances. This hands-on approach, combined with movement, dance elements, and cross-curricular connections, ensures a dynamic learning environment. Equipping our staff with robust subject knowledge is paramount; hence, every unit includes teacher videos aimed at enhancing professional development and musical competence.

Extracurricular activities enrich our music education as much as the formal curriculum. We offer whole-school singing sessions, a dedicated choir, and opportunities for pupils to engage with visiting peripatetic tutors for instrumental learning, such as guitar. Collaboration with peripatetic teachers cultivates a deeper musical understanding for children and illustrates how collective effort can yield positive outcomes.

Impact 

The impact of the Kapow Primary Music Scheme is assessed continuously through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes assessment guidance aligned with learning objectives, culminating in unit performances that illustrate pupils' progress. Our assessment approach also incorporates pupil voice, teacher feedback, and parental input, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the music education journey within our school community.