Music
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
Plato
At Graven Hill Primary and Preschool, we believe that music is a powerful and universal language that enriches children’s lives and supports their emotional, social and creative development. A high‑quality music education inspires pupils to develop a lifelong love of music while building confidence, creativity and a strong sense of achievement.
Our music curriculum is designed to engage and inspire all children. Pupils develop their musical understanding and learn to express themselves in creative and meaningful ways.
Our Music Curriculum
The core of our music curriculum is built around active participation and musical understanding. Children are taught to:
- Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music
- Sing and use their voices confidently and expressively
- Explore and use a range of instruments
- Create and compose music individually and collaboratively
As pupils progress, they develop a growing understanding of musical elements such as pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics and structure, allowing them to talk about and respond to music using appropriate vocabulary.
Musical Skills and Progression
Music learning at Graven Hill is carefully sequenced so that skills and knowledge are revisited, practised and built upon over time. Children are supported to develop:
- Listening skills – hearing patterns, recognising changes and responding thoughtfully
- Performing skills – singing and playing with increasing control and confidence
- Composing skills – experimenting with sounds, creating simple pieces and making choices
- Evaluative skills – talking about music and expressing preferences and ideas
Through regular opportunities to perform and share their work, children develop resilience, self‑belief and pride in their achievements.
Listening, Appreciation and Musical Understanding
An important part of our music curriculum is helping children to listen with attention and understanding. Pupils are introduced to a wide range of music from different genres, cultures and time periods.
As they listen, children are encouraged to describe what they hear, compare pieces of music and reflect on how music makes them feel. This supports the development of critical engagement with music and helps children to appreciate the richness and diversity of musical expression.
Creativity, Collaboration and Wellbeing
Music provides a unique opportunity for children to work together, express emotions and develop a sense of belonging. Through group singing, ensemble work and shared performances, pupils learn to listen to others, cooperate and contribute as part of a team.
Music also plays an important role in supporting wellbeing, offering children a creative outlet and a means of communication beyond words.
Preparing Children for the Future
Our music curriculum ensures that children leave Graven Hill with:
- A love of music and a willingness to participate
- Confidence in singing, playing and creating music
- An understanding of key musical concepts and vocabulary
- The ability to listen, reflect and respond thoughtfully
- An appreciation of music from different cultures and traditions
By combining creativity, performance and thoughtful listening, our music curriculum enables children to experience the joy and power of music — nurturing imagination, confidence and a lifelong appreciation of the arts.