Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.

Our music curriculum inspires every pupil to develop a love of music and their talent as a musician.

Music is used to increase self-confidence and creativity as pupils perform in class, year, key stage and whole school assemblies for a variety of audiences.

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 for music aims 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.

• Our music curriculum inspires every pupil to develop a love of music and their talent as a musician.
• Music is used to increase self-confidence and creativity as pupils perform in class, year, key stage and whole school assemblies for a variety of audiences. 
• Our music curriculum is based on the National Plan for Music Education and is also in line with the Model Music Curriculum. 
• Specialist teaching in music is expertly led by our Sing Education specialist for Key Stage 2 and by trained school staff in EYFS and KS1 using Sing planning.  
• In lessons, pupils are given the opportunity to sing and play a range of instruments such as the glockenspiel, ukulele, recorder, Djembe and classroom percussion instruments.  
• Pupils are exposed to a range of musical genres and time periods from around the world. 
• They also have the opportunity to develop their skills as a musician by listening, appraising, composing and performing.  
• Lessons are made accessible to all children, including children with SEND. 
• We have a designated music room in which the majority of lessons take place. Lessons are taught by specialist music teachers.  
• Pupils receive weekly music education of 1 hour, which includes high quality, specialist teaching and structured singing assemblies.
• We are a member of Ealing Music Service which supports us in our delivery of music and also provides signposting to a variety of additional music activities available.  

At Lady Margaret Primary School, we offer an exciting and engaging range of extra-curricular opportunities outside of the pupils’ structured music education:

• Individual piano/keyboard, violin and guitar tuition is offered through the music provider ‘Piano FunClub’. These lessons are taught throughout the school day (1 day a week). Parents pay for these lessons directly. We offer a selection of children, who are Pupil Premium, access to tuition (for a subsidised amount) by using some of our pupil premium provision. Instruments can be hired for a small fee and we also have a small selection of guitars and keyboards in school that can be lent free of charge to children that may need this provision. 
• We run a choir which meets weekly (after school) for Key Stage 2 pupils. Our designated music room is used for rehearsals. Parents are informed by letter when places become available as it is a popular club. This is run by a music specialist teacher. 
• We have a Ukulele club which meets weekly (after school) for children in Years 5 and 6. Pupil Premium children are prioritised when places become available. Instruments are provided by the school. 
• The music room is available to selected students upon request at lunchtimes for individual/small group practice/rehearsals. 
• Lady Margaret is a member of the Ealing Music Service which is our local music hub. Ealing Music Service is part of the London West Music Hub.  

This is about all the other musical events and opportunities that we organise, such as singing in assembly, concerts and shows, and trips to professional concerts. 

• Children attend a weekly singing assembly led by specialist staff.
• There will be opportunities for individual classes to perform songs when they are presenting an assembly about their learning to other pupils and parents. 
• There will be an opportunity to supplement curriculum knowledge/appreciation of music/composers at the beginning of assemblies.
• At the end of each term, children across the school are invited to watch concerts by the children playing Djembe (Year 3), Irock music club, Choir and Ukelele clubs. Parents are also invited to these concerts.
• Nursery and Reception perform songs and rhymes to parents/carers at the end of each half term. 
• A group of KS1 children sing Christmas carols in Autumn term each year to local care homes and sing at the Summer fair.  
• Year 4 take part in a steel drum workshop linked to their core text in Autumn.  
• Year 5 take part in a workshop as part of the annual World Music Festival organised by Ealing Music Service. 
• Year 6 will present an end of year production involving acting and singing to pupils and parents of Year 6. Singing in this production is supported and taught by specialist staff. 
• There is a music space in the playground as part of the OPAL provision for children to explore music instruments and perform to others in an informal space.
• Pupils in one year group will have the opportunity to watch a West End musical each year.  
• All children watch a pantomime in the Autumn term. 
• Each year, there are a variety of further musical opportunities that are offered through the Music service and other providers. We will continue to take part in as many of these as we can. This offer changes from year to year.  
• There is a Summer Concert at the end of the Summer Term presented to parents of those performing and to governors. This will include performances by the school choir, ukulele club and individual children on a variety of instruments who have music lessons both in and out of school.  

Reading Notation: Pulse & Rhythm

• Confidently read and perform rhythms with a wide range of note values, including semibreves, minims, crotchets, quavers, semiquavers and their equivalent rests, fluently interpreting rhythm patterns and note durations.
• Sight-read and perform intricate rhythmic phrases and rhythms from prepared notation, confidently maintaining accurate timing and rhythm throughout, in an ensemble of up to 4 parts.

Reading Notation: Pitch

• Fluently read and perform pitch notation within an octave range (e.g. C–C).
• Interpret and perform music with dynamics and articulation.

Singing and Performing

• Sing a broad range of songs, including those with complex rhythms and harmonies, with a strong sense of ensemble and performance.
• Perform three – and four – part rounds, partner songs, and songs with intricate structures.

Instrumental Performance

• Play complex melodies and accompaniments following staff notation, utilising a wide range of notes within an octave (do – do), whilst contributing to the interpretation and expression of the music.
• Accompany melodies using block chords or a bass line using keyboards, tuned percussion or melodic instruments.
• Demonstrate proficiency in playing by ear, copying longer phrases and complex melodies on tuned instruments

Composition and Improvisation

• Extend improvisation skills through working in small groups to create music with multiple sections, repetition, and contrast.
• Compose melodies made from pairs of phrases, in a major or minor key suitable for the instrument chosen, enhanced with rhythmic or chordal accompaniment.
• Plan and compose an 8- or 16-beat melodic phrase using the pentatonic scale and incorporate rhythmic variety.

Music curriculum termly overview

• Auditory sensitivity is supported through ear defenders and calm spaces, enabling full participation in music lessons. 
• Rhythm and movement activities promote regulation and motor planning.

Lady Margaret summary of music development plan 2025-26