Music

Our Vision for Music Education at Christ Church:

“We believe the purpose of music is to develop musical skills, becoming better at music, while developing a life-long love of the subject.”

Statement of Intent:

Our music curriculum is all about developing children as musicians and is designed to be flexible and diverse, in order to meet the needs of all children. Rooted in the Kodaly and Suzuki approaches to music education, we plan to meet both the expectations of the National Curriculum and the Model Music Curriculum, as part of the National Plan for Music Education. Focusing on performing, composing, and engaged listening, our sequenced curriculum builds deep levels of musicianship, through increased musical knowledge, skills, and specialist language. Performance aspects carefully consider accessibility, embracing singing for enjoyment and aural development, with listening as an integral component throughout, and glockenspiels to develop instrumental proficiency. Composition builds children’s musical knowledge and skills, through artistic freedom, expression, and theoretical guidance.

Curriculum Context:

Music in KS1 and KS2 is taught by a music specialist, following a curriculum built upon the Kodaly approach. All children learn to sing and play a pre-keyboard instrument, as well as developing wider musicianship and literacy skills. This curriculum has now entered its third year.

What do children say about our Music curriculum?

Children state that they enjoy their music lessons in school and believe that they are making progress in their learning. When asked what they enjoy most, children stated that enjoy playing singing games and having the opportunity to learn an instrument, particularly gaining better piano knowledge (via glockenspiels). Children also stated that they like learning new song material and instrumental techniques that will allow them to play new pieces. Many children also stated that they have enjoyed listening to a range of classical art music and having the opportunity to discuss and share their ideas.

Areas for Development:

To continue to evaluate and develop the music curriculum as required, so that it continues to meet the needs of our children, as a curriculum of excellence.

Instrumental and Vocal Lessons and Ensembles:

As part of the cultural ethos of our school, music is an embedded part of the curriculum and every child's experience. In addition to a repertoire of singing for worship, children sing and play instruments in their music lessons; perform regularly in collective worship and in weekly singing assemblies, as well as at key events within our calendar both in school, at church and in the wider community.

Across the federation, we have a varied selection of ensembles that children can become involved in, including beginner, intermediate and advanced recorder groups; training choir and advanced choir; glockenspiel group and an orchestra. Each of these ensembles is linked to the Children’s University, allowing learning time to be validated and provide opportunities for children to progress towards awards, which they receive in a special ceremony run by the University of Wolverhampton each summer. Additionally, children in recorder groups and choir have the option to progress towards ABRSM medal awards each year. In 2025 we celebrated eleven successful examinations, awarded with excellence or excellent elements.

Children also have access to instrumental lessons on violin and viola, through Wolverhampton Music Service. Children progress within a specialist pathway achieving internal awards, and also have the opportunity to take ABRSM examinations.

In addition to regular in-house performance opportunities, ensembles perform at least once per term at church services, which are attended by the school community; each year, in May, there is a timetabled Music concert for KS2, and children in year two and six perform at the end of each year in special leavers concerts.

Additionally, children have visited the local community to perform. These have included close work by the advanced choir with Christ Church church and Family Church services; performances at James Beattie House and visits to the Life Spring Church in Wolverhampton.

What do children say about our extra-curricular Music opportunities:

Children state that they really enjoy having music clubs to attend. This gives them the opportunity to learn even more and have opportunities to perform – “we love performing!” Being a part of extra-curricular music groups has continued to allow children to be part of a social community, where they can learn and have lots of fun.

Children also stated that being part of the Children’s University feels very rewarding and the yearly graduation ceremonies are very special.

Children also discussed how much they enjoy learning an instrument with the music service. Violin and viola children say they enjoy learning and practising performance pieces and having the opportunity to perform solos.

Areas for Development:

Continue to encourage ongoing membership of ensembles, so that as many children as possible can gain from these important experiences.

Music Events and Opportunities:

Our school continues to work with the local Music service, actively encouraging children to participate in wider opportunities offered. In association with the senior leadership team, we will continue to drive the development of music across the school and advocate for the importance of music in school life. The engagement of a music specialist continues to be a significant investment in this goal. We are currently a Music Mark School.

In the 2024-25 academic year, children received a number of opportunities to hear and see live music performed. These included:

Wolverhampton Music Hub concert programme
A visit to Symphony Hall to see the CBSO perform (Yr 4)
A visit from students at Tettenhall College, who performed a variety of instrumental and vocal music
Chethams School of Music provided an afternoon session of performance and composition work for KS2 children

Areas for Development:

Continue to seek opportunities to create links with organisations who can provide live music performances for our children across KS1 and KS2. These currently include:

A visit for KS2 to Tettenhall College to see the ‘Battle of the Bands’ concert (Autumn)
A visit for KS1 from St. Regis, who will perform a range of instrumental and vocal music (Autumn)
A trip to Symphony Hall to see the CBSO perform (Yr 4: Spring)
Wolverhampton Music Hub concert programme (KS2: Summer)
A visit for KS2 from Tettenhall College, who will perform a range of instrumental and vocal music.