Music

Intent

At Woodchurch Road Academy, our vision for music education is driven by the belief that every child is a musician and that music should be a joyful, inclusive, and empowering experience for all. We aim to provide a curriculum that develops creativity, confidence, and cultural understanding through a progressive, skills-based approach.

Using the Charanga music scheme, our intent is to deliver high-quality music lessons that nurture musicality, imagination, and self-expression while giving pupils a strong foundation in listening, composing, performing, and appraising music.

We believe in learning without limits, where every pupil, regardless of background or starting point, can access music, find their voice, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the art form. Music is for everyone — not just the talented few — and we actively remove barriers to ensure all children thrive and shine.

Implementation

Our music curriculum is implemented using the Charanga scheme of work, which offers a carefully sequenced, spiral curriculum that revisits key musical skills across year groups and deepens understanding over time. Each unit builds on prior knowledge and allows pupils to explore a wide range of musical genres, cultures, and historical periods.

Key features of implementation include:

• Music lessons for all year groups, taught using Charanga’s structured progression of skills in singing, listening, composing, improvisation, and performance

• Integration of musical vocabulary, notation, and structure in a child-friendly, engaging format

• Use of instruments (both tuned and untuned), body percussion, digital tools, and voice to promote creativity and hands-on learning

• Exposure to diverse musical traditions from around the world, promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity

• Opportunities for ensemble work, solo performance, and public sharing of music within and beyond school

• Whole class instrumental teaching (such as recorder, glockenspiel or ukulele) offered at key stages, ensuring equitable access to learning an instrument

• Support for cross-curricular links, including music in wider Expeditionary Learning projects and events

• Enrichment through choir, performances, assemblies, and links with the wider community and local music hubs

Our music curriculum is designed to be inclusive, accessible, and aspirational, enabling all children to access high-quality music education regardless of ability, experience, or additional needs.

Impact

The impact of our music curriculum is evident in children who:

• Show confidence and enthusiasm for music across a range of styles and settings

• Demonstrate strong musical knowledge and skills in listening, composing, and performing

• Use appropriate musical vocabulary to talk about what they hear and create

• Respect and appreciate music from different cultures, genres, and historical contexts

• Develop self-expression, resilience, teamwork, and emotional awareness through music

• Recognise music as a powerful tool for connection, identity, and wellbeing

Through Charanga’s progressive structure and our school-wide ethos of learning without limits, every pupil has the opportunity to shine musically, whether they go on to perform on a stage, compose their own pieces, or simply enjoy music as part of everyday life.

At Woodchurch Road Academy, music isn’t just a subject — it’s a universal language that helps our children find their voice, express who they are, and connect with the world around them.