At Beaconside Primary and Nursery School, our music curriculum is designed to provide a rich, inclusive, and progressive musical education that aligns fully with the National Curriculum requirements. We have chosen Charanga as our primary resource because it offers a classroom-based, participatory approach to music learning that engages all pupils. Charanga’s structured, progressive framework ensures that pupils develop technical skills (such as accurate sound production and notation), constructive understanding (musical elements in performance, composition, and listening), and expressive capabilities (musical meaning, cultural context, and creativity) in a coherent sequence.

This approach supports the National Curriculum’s aims for music by ensuring pupils:

• Experience a broad and balanced musical repertoire, including Western classical, popular, and world music traditions.
• Develop skills in performing, composing, and listening, with appropriate progression that builds on prior knowledge.
• Learn music in discrete sessions complemented by singing opportunities in assemblies, ensuring consistent engagement.

Charanga’s digital platform also facilitates staff professional development, enabling teachers to build their subject knowledge and pedagogical skills continuously. 

By embedding music in the curriculum in this way, we aspire for all pupils to become confident, creative musicians who can express themselves, appreciate cultural diversity through music, and develop skills that contribute to their personal and academic growth. This curriculum is aspirational because it challenges pupils to progress technically and creatively while fostering enjoyment and a lifelong love of music.

Whole School Aims

Our music curriculum is intrinsically linked to Beaconside’s vision and values. It supports our aim to:

• Provide a safe, happy, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment by ensuring all pupils, including those with autism, can participate meaningfully in music activities.
• Equip pupils with knowledge and skills to meet future challenges, fostering creativity, communication, and confidence through music.
• Build a community based on excellent behaviour, tolerance, and fun, where pupils learn respect for cultural and religious diversity through exposure to a wide range of musical traditions.
• Develop pupils who are self-motivated and self-critical, encouraging reflection on their musical progress and personal expression.
• Encourage partnerships with parents and the wider community by sharing musical achievements and involving families in performances and music-related events.
• Promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development by exploring music’s role in different cultures and historical contexts, reinforcing fundamental British values such as respect and tolerance.

Subject Vision

We teach music at Beaconside because it is a powerful medium for personal expression, cultural understanding, and cognitive development. Our intent is for every pupil to:

• Develop technical competence in singing, instrument playing, and music technology.
• Gain constructive knowledge of musical elements and composition techniques.
• Express themselves creatively and emotionally through music.
• Understand and appreciate music’s cultural and historical significance.
• Experience a curriculum that is accessible and engaging for all, including pupils with SEND, encouraging perseverance and self-confidence.