Music at Diamond Wood

At Diamond Wood Community Academy we will provide children with rich, vocabulary-based,

practical and creative music lessons.

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we believe that a high-quality Music curriculum should develop children’s creativity and appreciation for the wide variety of musical experiences that are all around them. We aim to fully engage children in musical learning by exposing them to a wide variety of styles of music. This will be through singing, playing and appraising, and encouraging pupils to develop their own preferences. We aim to develop all pupils confidence in being able and confident in talking about all of these elements.

Click here to read our full music Vision and Intent statement.

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

National Curriculum 2014

Position Statement

We are constantly striving to improve our Music Curriculum in order to ensure our intended and implemented teaching and learning opportunities have the maximum impact upon pupil outcomes.

Click here to read our position statement and find out about our areas for development this year.

Music Timetable

Here at Diamond Wood, we teach Music as a discrete subject in Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage 1). The pupils participate in weekly lessons.

In Nursery and Reception (EYFS) pupils also participate in weekly key worker sessions or inputs. During each half term, additional opportunities for children to develop and consolidate their learning are provided during their continuous and enhanced provision time, both indoors and outdoors.

Music Leader

Our Music Leader is Mrs Roberts. She is also a Reception teacher and is very passionate about providing high quality music learning experiences for all pupils.

If you would like to speak to Mrs Roberts, email office@diamondwoodacademy.co.uk and address the email to her specifically.

Our Approach

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we take pride in providing our children with a broad and balanced music curriculum. As a school, we have taken the decision to invest in and implement the ‘Charanga’ music scheme of work.

Charanga is a progressive scheme, which ensures that learning from the previous year is built on and extended in a fun, engaging, and diverse manner. The scheme uses high-quality interactive resources as well as introducing musical instruments to pupils

Click here to read our rationale for adopting the Charanga scheme of work.

Music Policy

We have developed and produced a Music policy to ensure our values are applied consistently, define clear expectations, and help provide a framework for staff and pupils alike.

Please click here to view our Music Curriculum policy which has been updated for the academic year 2024-2025.

Statutory Requirements

The National Curriculum for Music sets out the statutory guidance for teaching Music to KS1 pupils. Our music curriculum has been designed to ensure children learn the required knowledge and skills set out by the National Curriculum for music.

To view the statutory guidance for Music click here.

The Early Years Foundation Stage framework provides guidance for teachers focusing on developing children's musical awareness and skills within the Early Years (Nursery and Reception). The main areas for learning which are focused upon to provide the building blocks for future 'music' learning are as follows;

Personal, Social and Emotional development
Communication and Language
Expressive Arts and Design

For more information on how these areas of learning have been built into our music curriculum please see our progression map below.

Our Music Long Term Plan

Substantive and Disciplinary Concepts

To download this information as a document please click here.

Music Progression Map

Our music curriculum progression map has been designed to show how we intend to teach our pupils the declarative, procedural, tacit and vocabulary knowledge we aim for them to learn, know, remember and do by the end of their time with us here at Diamond Wood.

In designing this progression map we have consulted with our local feeder schools and settings in order to ensure our pupils experiences before and after coming to our school allow for progression of knowledge and skills to be built upon and continue.

The progression map allows all staff and key stakeholders in school to have a secure understanding of end of year expectations for all year groups.

In addition to using the progression map to guide teaching and learning, our music subject leader creates half termly Medium Term Plans for all year groups. These plans clearly outline the sequence of teaching and learning which will take place during the particular unit of work (or planned opportunities in Nursery and Reception). This supports our educators in ensuring consistency in approach, opportunity and delivery across school, where we have four classes per year group.

The subject leader also creates and sources high quality resources which support the teaching and learning taking place. Our smartboard lesson aids provide additional planning notes and activity resources which can be accessed by any adults delivering lessons. This supports the continued professional development of our Educational Teaching Assistants, Cover Supervisors and also any supply teachers who work within school. Again, this ensures our high expectations are consistent across school at all times.

To view our music curriculum progression map please click here.

Key Vocabulary

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we recognise the crucial role that vocabulary plays in pupils’ learning and academic success. As such, we have developed a vocabulary progression map for each subject curriculum to ensure that all our pupils have a strong foundation in subject-specific vocabulary.

Vocabulary is the foundation upon which pupils build their understanding of different subjects. Tier 3 words, which are subject-specific terms, play a particularly significant role in deepening pupils’ knowledge and enabling them to access complex concepts effectively. By explicitly teaching and reinforcing Tier 3 words within each subject, we aim to:

Enhance pupils’ comprehension and communication skills.
Enable pupils to express themselves accurately and confidently in subject-specific contexts.
Facilitate pupils’ ability to independently access and understand subject materials.
Support pupils’ critical thinking by developing their subject-specific knowledge and expertise.
Improve pupils’ overall academic performance and raise attainment levels.

To view our Music Key Vocabulary Glossary please click here.

Key Text Spine

We have developed a key text spine for each curriculum area in our school to enhance the integration of reading into all aspects of our pupils' learning experiences. By carefully selecting texts that align with specific subjects, we support comprehension and retention while making connections between literature and the curriculum.

These key texts will either be introduced within units of work to reinforce learning objectives or recommended by teachers as enjoyable reads for pupils. Each classroom features a designated reading area where these texts are readily accessible, ensuring that children have opportunities to engage with them at least weekly.

Through this initiative, we aim to foster a love of reading, encourage exploration of diverse literature, and build a vibrant reading community that supports essential literacy skills and a lifelong passion for learning.

To view our Key Text Spine for Music click here.

Learn to speak like a Musician...

Developing SMSC within our Music Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we are committed to providing a holistic education that promotes the Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural (SMSC) development of all our pupils. Our music curriculum at the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1) plays a crucial role in fostering SMSC development, ensuring that our pupils not only excel academically but also develop into well-rounded individuals with a strong sense of community and moral responsibility.

Our music curriculum has been designed to include a variety of musical traditions, genres, and cultural influences, ensuring a broad and balanced approach to the study of music. Teachers incorporate opportunities for reflection and discussion on the emotional and moral aspects of music, encouraging pupils to consider their own values and beliefs. Enrichment activities such as music performances, visits to cultural institutions, and workshops with professional musicians are organised to enrich pupils' cultural experiences and foster an understanding of the wider cultural context of music. Collaboration with local community groups and music professionals are encouraged to provide pupils with opportunities to engage with different cultural and social contexts through music.

Collective Worship and Dedicated Singing Time

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we recognise the importance of collective worship in promoting spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Singing plays a vital role in our collective worship sessions as it fosters a sense of community and enhances the spiritual experience. Singing in collective worship at Diamond Wood Community Academy is a key element of our commitment to providing a meaningful and inclusive spiritual experience for our pupils. The aims of singing in collective worship at Diamond Wood Community Academy are to:

Foster a sense of unity and community through collective participation in singing.
Promote spiritual reflection and contemplation through the use of uplifting and meaningful songs.
Enhance the inclusive and respectful ethos of our collective worship sessions.
Provide opportunities for personal and emotional expression through music and singing.

Join us in song throughout the Autumn Term...

Developing British Values within our Music Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we recognise the importance of developing pupils understanding of the fundamental British values within our music curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1). The table below outlines how we integrate and promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs within our music curriculum. We understand that these values must be embedded in the ethos of our school. This includes within the curriculum, including through music, to ensure the development of the whole child. Within our music curriculum, we encourage democratic principles by encouraging pupils to make choices and express their preferences. Through activities such as choosing musical instruments and selecting songs for performance, children learn the importance of respecting each other's opinions and expressing their own preferences respectfully.

Developing the Protected Characteristics within our Music Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we are committed to providing a music curriculum that promotes the development of the protected characteristics within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1). We believe that music education should be inclusive, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our pupils, and contributing to their understanding of equality and respect. We aim to provide our pupils with a music curriculum that celebrates diversity, promotes equality, and nurtures a culture of respect and understanding. We will provide training and support for our music staff to ensure they are equipped to deliver an inclusive curriculum that reflects the values of equality and diversity. Staff are encouraged to continuously enhance their understanding of diverse musical traditions and to integrate inclusive practices into their teaching.

Helping at Home

Accessing Charanga at home

Each child has the opportunity to access to Charanga at home, opening up a whole world of fun and exciting learning opportunities in one safe online space. Families are provided with a comprehensive suite of online learning tools and content, designed for children from aged, both in the classroom and at home. Charanga supports learning through its resources and creative tools, tailored to our school curriculum.