Music Curriculum Intent

At Holy Trinity and St Silas (HTSS), we believe that music supports children to become caring citizens, courageous communicators, and cooperative learners. A study of music encourages an understanding of diversity, creativity, and expression. The music curriculum at HTSS allows children to develop knowledge and skills that underpin and provide a context for many other curriculum areas, offering opportunities to support their social and cultural development. Through listening, performing, composing, and appraising, children engage with a wide range of musical traditions, deepening their appreciation of the role music plays in shaping communities and identities.

Holy Trinity & S. Silas follows the Charanga Musical School Scheme, providing week-by-week lesson support that encourages child-led exploration and musical mastery. This scheme is underpinned by the aims and content of the National Curriculum at each key stage. Learning progresses through listening and appraising, warm-up games, singing, playing instruments, improvisation, composition, and performing.

Caring Citizens (Care)

Children undertake their musical learning journey set within a diverse world understanding and context. By making connections between local and global music traditions, children understand how music reflects and shapes communities, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.

Through an integrated, practical, and exploratory approach to musical learning, the curriculum enables children to experience music as a powerful means of personal expression and collective identity. Themes of creativity, cultural significance, and influence are explored from EYFS to Upper KS2, helping children to understand how music contributes to society and can inspire social change.

Children engage with a variety of musical styles, traditions, and composers, such as reggae, jazz, world music and hip-hop, gaining an appreciation of both historical and contemporary contributions to the world of music. They develop an understanding of how music can tell stories, celebrate traditions, and unite communities across different cultures.

In KS2, children learn to play the recorder. Children demonstrate care through the respect shown to teachers and visiting practitioners who share their expertise, as well as by looking after their instruments.

We aim for our curriculum to promote diversity and equality; children should see themselves reflected in the music they learn (mirrors) while also exploring music from different cultures and perspectives (windows).


Courageous Communicators (Courage)

Our music curriculum empowers children to use music as a tool for communication, expression, and creativity. Through structured progression, they develop key musical skills in oracy, listening, performing, improvising, and composing.

Key understanding of musical terminology is developed from EYFS upwards. Children are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings about music using subject-specific vocabulary, developing confidence in their ability to articulate musical ideas and critique performances.

Children revisit and build upon musical concepts in a spiral learning approach, deepening their understanding and articulation in parallel over time.

Performance is a key element of the curriculum, helping children to develop performance skills and confidence when presenting to an audience. Children also develop key communication skills when working with their peers in groups or whole-class settings in order to practise and perform a piece.


Cooperative Learners (Cooperation)

The music curriculum encourages children to work collaboratively, whether through ensemble performances, group compositions, or shared musical exploration.

Children develop teamwork skills through activities such as singing in unison and harmony, playing in instrumental groups, and engaging in improvisational exercises. They learn to listen attentively to others, respond musically, and contribute to a shared creative vision.

Music is presented as a social and interactive experience, where children support and learn from one another. The curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to explore different roles within musical groups, developing leadership, cooperation, and shared responsibility.

Through structured use of classroom instruments—such as glockenspiels, untuned percussion, recorders, and orchestral instruments —children experience hands-on musical engagement. Digital tools such as iPad music apps are integrated to enhance accessibility and creativity.

By fostering a love for music, encouraging collaboration, and supporting the development of performance skills, the curriculum helps children to become confident and engaged musicians who appreciate the value of working together in creative expression.

Apply for voice and instrument lessons

At Holy Trinity & S. Silas, children can have music tuition through Camden Music in any of the following:

  • Violin
  • Cornet
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Piano (from Year 2)
  • Recorder
  • Flute (once children have their adult front teeth)
  • Clarinet (once children have their adult front teeth)
  • Saxophone (from Year 4)
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele

For more information and to download the Camden Music Service application form, please click here.

Alternatively, you can scan the QR code below: