Music

Intent

At Leopold Primary School, we believe that music is a powerful and universal language that inspires creativity, self-expression and confidence. Our aim is to ensure that all children develop a secure understanding of musical skills while enjoying rich and meaningful musical experiences.

We want children to:

Develop a lifelong enjoyment of music in all its forms.
Build confidence through singing, playing instruments and performing.
Explore music from a wide range of cultures and traditions.
Understand key musical concepts such as pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics and structure.
Develop listening, appraising and composition skills.
Learn to work collaboratively, express themselves creatively and appreciate the role of music in everyday life.

Our curriculum is built around the National Curriculum and enhanced through our partnership with Brent Music Service and the Music’s Cool programme, ensuring every child receives high-quality, specialist-supported music teaching from Nursery to Year 6.

Implementation

Music at Leopold is taught weekly across all year groups through the classroom-based Music’s Cool programme. This structured, progressive approach develops children’s musical knowledge and skills in a practical, enjoyable and purposeful way. Singing and performance are at the heart of the curriculum, with pupils experiencing a range of musical activities including listening, playing, improvising, composing and performing.

Early Years

Children enjoy active, playful music sessions focused on singing, rhythm, movement and early instrumental exploration. They begin to recognise pulse, respond to music and develop early listening skills.

Key Stage 1

In Year 1, pupils begin to learn the violin, developing early instrumental and performance skills.
In Year 2, children are introduced to the recorder, where they begin to read simple notation and play short melodies.

Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)

Pupils continue their recorder learning while also exploring body percussion and Tamboo Bamboo, developing ensemble awareness, timing and rhythmic control.

Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6)

Children broaden their musical understanding through African drumming, samba, rap, beatboxing and the ukulele. These units develop complex rhythm, performance confidence and opportunities for creative composition.

Singing and Performance

Weekly singing assemblies allow pupils to learn and perform songs from different cultures.
Performances across the school year - including the Christmas Singalongs, Year 2 Nativity, Black History Month Showcases, KS1 and KS2 musical, and the end of Year 6 production - give pupils the chance to showcase their musical skills and build self-confidence.

Peripatetic Opportunities

From Year 3 onwards, pupils may learn instruments such as keyboard, guitar, drums, flute or violin through small-group or individual tuition led by Brent Music Service tutors.

Enrichment

Children across the school have opportunities to participate in choirs, orchestras and ensembles organised by Brent Music Service, enabling them to perform with others and develop musical skills beyond the classroom.

Impact

By the end of their time at Leopold, children:

Have a secure understanding of key musical concepts and vocabulary.
Are confident performers who enjoy singing and playing instruments.
Can listen carefully, respond thoughtfully and appraise different styles of music.
Are able to create, improvise and compose their own musical ideas.
Demonstrate a strong sense of rhythm, pulse and pitch.
Appreciate music from diverse cultures and traditions.
Show resilience, teamwork and creativity through musical experiences.

The impact of our music curriculum is visible in children’s enthusiasm for music, their willingness to perform and the high-quality musical outcomes seen across the school. Teacher observations, performances, discussions and participation in enrichment opportunities all help us measure progress and ensure every child develops as a confident, capable young musician.