At Ackton Pastures, we believe that music plays an important part in every child’s creative education. We know that children can develop self-confidence, self-esteem and a sense of wellbeing through listening to and creating music. We also know that research says that this can have a positive impact on learning in other subjects.
We teach children to appreciate and talk about a range of genres from different musical traditions using the appropriate vocabulary. We ensure all children have the opportunity to play instruments and to compose and make their own music.
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” – Plato
Our music curriculum is designed to inspire a lifelong love of music, fostering creativity, self-expression, and cultural appreciation across all key stages. Through a rich two-year scheme, students progressively build deep musical understanding—from exploring pulse and movement in EYFS and KS1 to mastering stave notation, minor scales, and polyrhythms in UKS2. By integrating weekly listening of classical, popular, and world genres alongside regular singing assemblies, we intend for every child to leave Year 6 as a confident musician. Pupils will fluently read treble clef notation, apply accurate musical vocabulary, and understand how music unites communities and drives social change.
Music is taught through weekly, hands-on lessons led by specialist teachers with music degrees, who collaborate closely with classroom staff. Our curriculum seamlessly integrates vocal work, composition, and digital technology through Chrome Music Lab. Whole-class instrumental tuition provides direct access to a wide range of instruments, including the glockenspiel, recorder, ocarina, ukulele, trumpet, and djembe. Learning progresses from recording ideas via graphic scores and rhythm grids in lower key stages to composing on staves, creating minimalist cells, and improvising within traditions such as Hindustani classical music in UKS2. Singing is embedded across the school, developing from vocal games to complex part-singing, rounds, and harmony work.
 Our curriculum develops pupils into confident, technically skilled, and expressive musicians. By the end of Key Stage 2, every child can read treble clef notation, articulate musical choices using precise vocabulary, and collaborate effectively within an ensemble. Pupils showcase their learning through regular internal performances and external events, demonstrating their ability to sing in harmony, convey emotion, and execute complex multi-layered compositions. Ultimately, our pupils leave primary school equipped with the foundational skills, digital literacy, and creative confidence required to excel in secondary music education and beyond.
