All things are possible for one who believes – Mark 9:23.

Curriculum Intent

‘Music is all around us. It is the soundtrack of our lives’  Model Music Curriculum.

At Waverley Abbey, our music curriculum has been moulded to inspire creativity, encourage self-expression and open opportunities for pupils to discover their own music journeys, as well as give them the experiences to connect with others and the world around them. We believe that a high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talents as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. The aim of our music curriculum is to open children’s eyes and ears to a diverse musical programme that will be the foundation for a lifelong love of music.

By the end of Year 6 we want children to leave school with the ability to be able to play an instrument confidently, listen and respond to different styles and genres of music reflectively, find their voices as singers and performers, and to become independent composers and musicians.

Curriculum Implementation

Our Music curriculum is designed to provide a well-sequenced and progressive learning journey for all our pupils. It is organised into key units and structured to allow for a range of musical experiences, including performing, composing, listening, and appraising.

At Waverley Abbey, we use Charanga music world programme which allows pupils to be creative, work as team, build confidence and extend their self-motivation. These are skills that we aim to promote with emphasis on the joys of listening, appraising, performing and composing music.

We recognise the value of exposing our pupils to a wide range of musical genres and cultures. We provide a diverse range of resources and instruments, to ensure that our pupils can explore and appreciate music from various traditions and backgrounds. Therefore, we have mapped out the curriculum to ensure that key musical concepts and skills are revisited and developed throughout the year groups, building upon prior knowledge and laying foundations for more advanced musical understanding. Our curriculum is inclusive and accessible to students of all abilities, providing differentiated learning opportunities to cater to individual needs.

We actively seek opportunities to invite professional musicians and performers to our school to deliver workshops and demonstrations, enriching our pupils understanding of different musical practices. We also arrange and take part in visits to local concert venues, music festivals, and community events, allowing our children to experience live music performances.

We have 2 fantastic school choirs for children of all ages, who practise a range of genres. Children within the choir have the opportunity to take part in a range of musical-based school outings and trips. One which is very popular is Young Voices. Once a week we have a singing worship assembly, for all children to appreciate a wide range of musical artists thus allowing them to push their talents further and encourage new learners to flourish and enjoy learning music.

The Arts Block houses an extensive range of instruments including class sets of djembe drums, and glockenspiels/xylophones. This allows us to cover a good range of musical styles from across the world. This also allows the children to learn formal and informal music notation in a group context. Work is often recorded for evaluation and composition projects. We also have a custom-built and designed performance stage installed in the main hall, with professional sound equipment and lighting, which is used by each year group for their production. We are fortunate to have a dedicated custom-built Arts block with 3 practise rooms - all accessible to the children, with pianos, sound equipment and ICT facilities built in.

Curriculum Impact

Pupils develop a love for music and a strong foundation in musical skills and knowledge.

Children actively participate in local music festivals, community performances, and school concerts, showcasing their musical talents and making connections with the wider community.

Music plays a significant role in developing pupils' personal and social skills. Through collaborative activities, children learn to cooperate, communicate, and support one another, fostering a sense of teamwork and unity. The opportunity for individual expression and creativity encourages them to build confidence in their abilities and take risks in a supportive environment.

Each year group has its own production, where children will sing and act, showcasing their music and acting talents.

Surrey Arts - Tuning up

At Waverley Abbey School, we believe that a high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talents as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.

Learning an instrument in a classroom environment is, for many children, the first step in their musical journey. Playing alongside their friends brings a range of musical and social benefits and can have a positive impact on their learning across the curriculum.

In year 4, we are fortunate to be following Surrey Arts Tuning up programme. An experienced music specialist teacher follows the National Curriculum for music, with a focus on learning how to play the clarinet. Lessons are an hour and occur fortnightly, led by a Surrey Arts music teacher.

If you would like to find out more about the curriculum, please make an appointment to see your child's teacher, who will be happy to discuss this with you. You can do this by contacting school through the office via - info@waverley-abbey.surrey.sch.uk