At our school, Music is a vibrant and inclusive subject, guided by the Southwark Music Progression Framework. All children have a weekly lesson led by Music Specialist. Performances feature regularly in our school calendar and children also are given many opportunities to watch professionals perform in London's best venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and The Barbican. From Nursery to Year 6, children develop key musical skills through singing, instrument playing, listening, composing, and performing. Each year builds upon the last, nurturing creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of music.

Nursery and Reception
In the early years, children begin their musical journey through playful and sensory-rich experiences. They engage with a wide range of action songs and begin to recognise and use different types of voices such as singing, whispering, and talking. Music is explored through movement, large gestures to show pitch changes, and basic percussion instruments. Children become familiar with musical opposites like loud/soft and fast/slow and start to move rhythmically to music. Opportunities to share music with others begin with informal performances and classroom celebrations of learning.

Year 1 and Year 2
In Years 1 and 2, children develop the ability to pitch-match, sing solo phrases, and understand the difference between pulse and rhythm. They play percussion instruments to accompany known songs and follow simple conducting cues. Notation skills begin to emerge through clapping games and rhythm cards, and children discuss how music makes them feel. These year groups also experience the joy of live performance in prestigious venues. Last year, they performed at The Barbican with the London Symphony Orchestra, and also took part in a special Key Stage One concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra, celebrating their learning in an interactive and inspiring setting.

Year 3
In Year 3, children begin to sing in two-part rounds and explore pentatonic scales both vocally and on tuned instruments. They read more advanced rhythm notation and improvise simple melodies. Children compose music in small groups and begin to work with structured forms, such as sound pictures and musical storytelling. Their musical journey includes memorable performance experiences—in the previous academic year, Years 3 and 4 had the exciting opportunity to perform at the Royal Festival Hall with the Philharmonia Orchestra, a major milestone in their musical development.

Year 4
Year 4 sees the introduction of ukulele tuition as part of the curriculum. Pupils learn chord shapes, strumming patterns, and how to accompany their own singing on the instrument. They continue to develop singing in rounds and layered textures, and they compose and perform using structured rhythms and harmonies. Performance is a key focus, and last year, Year 4 children joined Year 3 in their outstanding concert at the Royal Festival Hall. These experiences help children develop musical discipline, confidence, and a strong sense of ensemble.

Year 5
In Year 5, music learning is brought to life through large-scale performance and specialist instrumental instruction. During the first half of the academic year, children prepare for the Young Voices concert, the world’s largest school choir event. They learn a diverse repertoire of songs which they perform at the O2 Arena alongside thousands of children—an unforgettable experience that fosters teamwork and musical excellence. In the summer term, pupils work with a specialist tutor to learn samba drumming, developing rhythm, coordination, and ensemble skills. Their learning culminates in a vibrant live performance at the school’s Summer Carnival. Additionally, Year 5 pupils attend inspiring events such as the Future Makers concert at the Royal Albert Hall, broadening their exposure to high-level live music.

Year 6
In Year 6, pupils undertake a full year of violin tuition, taught by two specialist string tutors. As beginner violinists, they build key skills including posture, bow hold, finger placement, tone production, and reading standard notation. They perform simple melodies and ensemble pieces, gaining confidence and musical discipline. Last year, Year 6 pupils had the extraordinary opportunity to perform at The Barbican with the London Symphony Youth Orchestra, demonstrating their development in a professional setting. They also attended the Future Makers concert at the Royal Albert Hall, inspiring their next steps as young musicians and audience members.