At Drayton Community Infant School, we aim to make music an enjoyable learning experience which can inspire and motivate children. Our music curriculum is in line with the EYFS statutory framework, Musical Development Matters and the National Curriculum and ensures that children have the opportunity to sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. We want children to experience a wide range of musical genres including classical, modern, folk, jazz and world across a range of historical periods including the works of the great composers and musicians. We aim to build up the confidence of all children as they move through the school allowing them to develop their musical skills. We know that singing lies at the heart of good music teaching and our teaching focuses on developing the children’s ability to sing in tune and with other people. Through singing songs and nursery rhymes, children learn about the structure and organisation of music. In KS1 the children are also taught technical language such as volume, pitch, beat, rhythm. We believe music is also a vehicle for personal expression, which can play an important part in children’s personal and social development. Music is not only a creative and enjoyable activity with cross curricular links, but it also plays a vital role in helping children feel part of the community. Through taking part in a range of musical activities e.g. Christmas performances for families; class assemblies, leavers performances children have opportunities to present their learning. Children learn and explore tempo, pitch, beat and rhythm through regular access to instruments. We understand that giving children the opportunity to perform enables them to rehearse, sing, and play instruments to a wider audience allowing them to build their confidence in music. We understand too that music plays an integral role in developing children’s listening & attention skills which are crucial to their ability to access all areas of the curriculum.

We implement this intention through the use of the Charanga scheme of work and Musical Development Matters in the Early Years. The school is also a member of the Norfolk Music Hub which enhances the teaching of music with specialist resources. We also access Sing Up for further vocal musical input through the Norfolk Music Hub and the Music Lead accesses regular training throughout the year. Music is taught using these schemes and other online resources including: BBC Ten Pieces; relevant Youtube music and videos and network.youthmusic.org/musical-development matters. Music is taught explicitly as well as cross curricular and in continuous provision. It is also embedded into classroom routines, singing assemblies and productions for both Key Stage 1 and EYFS. Children in KS1 also have the opportunity to join the school choir which meets weekly when possible. (This is not the case at the moment due to COVID restrictions). We supplement our music offer through various other enrichment opportunities through the Music Hub and other resources such as the Online Pantomime and links with Taverham Prep School.