Intent

At Larwood School, our music curriculum aims to inspire creativity, build confidence and provide pupils with opportunities to express themselves through music.

We want pupils to develop an understanding of rhythm, melody and musical structure while enjoying the process of making music together. Music provides an important outlet for creativity and emotional expression, particularly for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

Through practical and engaging lessons, pupils develop core musical skills including pulse, rhythm, pitch and performance, while learning to listen carefully and work collaboratively as part of an ensemble.

Music at Larwood also supports pupils’ confidence, coordination and teamwork, helping them develop resilience and a sense of achievement through performance and creative expression

Implementation

Music lessons

Pupils across Years 1 to 6 take part in practical music lessons where they explore rhythm, melody and musical notation through hands-on activities.

The glockenspiel is used as a core instrument to help pupils develop an understanding of pitch and melody.

During lessons pupils learn to:

• read and perform basic rhythms including crotchets, minims, quavers and semibreves
• explore the musical alphabet and identify notes on the glockenspiel
• read and interpret simple musical notation
• develop an understanding of pulse, rhythm and melody
• experiment with tempo, dynamics and improvisation

Pupils also learn to perform the well-known piece Frère Jacques in C Major, playing in canon (rounds) as part of an ensemble, developing listening skills and musical coordination.

To keep lessons engaging and relevant, pupils perform along to specially created backing tracks produced by the music teacher. These tracks blend a variety of musical styles including Dancehall, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Reggae, Pop and R&B, helping pupils connect with music in a modern and meaningful way.

Music Mentoring and Interventions

Music also forms part of our wider support for pupils’ social, emotional and mental health through targeted mentoring and intervention sessions.

These sessions take place 1:1 or in small groups and may include:

• DJ skills
• music production
• rhythm and composition
• creative expression through sound
• elements of graphic design linked to music projects

This creative approach allows pupils to explore music in a therapeutic and supportive environment. Sessions are tailored to meet individual needs and help pupils develop confidence, resilience and self-belief.

Impact

Through music, pupils develop confidence, creativity and an appreciation of different musical styles and traditions.

By the time pupils leave Larwood School they will:

• understand key musical concepts such as rhythm, pulse and pitch
• read and perform basic musical notation
• perform confidently as part of an ensemble
• experiment with improvisation and musical creativity
• develop confidence through performance and creative expression

Impact is measured through:

• observation of pupils’ participation and performance
• pupil voice and engagement in music activities
• recordings of performances and practical outcomes
• monitoring of progress during music lessons and mentoring sessions

Music at Larwood supports pupils in developing both musical skills and personal confidence, helping them express themselves creatively and work positively with others.