Music Intent

At Farsley Springbank we believe every child should develop a secure understanding of music through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide range of historical periods, styles, traditions, and genres.

Our aim is to bring to life our values of being Courageous, Kind and Curious through the study of music, by nurturing our six key curriculum drivers of independence, determination, curiosity, risk-taking, collaboration and respect in all activities.

Our curriculum encourages independence, enabling pupils to make creative choices and express themselves with confidence, whether through learning an instrument, composing or giving their opinions on a piece of music.

We aim to nurture curiosity and enthusiasm for music alongside an appreciation and respect for its diversity and importance in people’s lives. As children progress through school, they are encouraged to take risks, explore new sounds and ideas, and demonstrate determination as they perform and compose in front of different audiences.

Through a balance of individual and group work pupils learn the value of collaboration—listening to others, composing in groups, performing as part of an ensemble, and supporting peers through shared creativity. Music at Farsley Springbank inspires pupils to think critically and creatively, building transferable skills that extend beyond the classroom.

In line with the National Curriculum, all pupils will:

• Perform, listen to, review, and evaluate music.
• Sing and play a range of instruments using different forms of notation.
• Create and compose music.
• Explore how music is created, produced, and communicated.

Pupils experience a rich and diverse curriculum, including Pentatonic Folk Music (East Asia), West African drumming and songs, Brazilian Samba, and a range of Classical and Popular styles. These opportunities foster curiosity, respect, and cultural awareness.

We are committed to ensuring children understand the value of music within the wider community. Annual performances—such as singing in local care homes, performing on the pitch at Headingley Stadium, and taking part in the national Young Voices programme—promote determination, collaboration, and confidence, preparing pupils to share their musical talents with pride and independence.

Implementation

At our school, music inspires independence, determination, curiosity, risk-taking, collaboration, and respect. In EYFS and KS1, we follow the Jolly Music programme, helping children become confident music-makers using their voice. Through songs and playground rhymes, children explore musical elements in a fun, multi-sensory way, developing listening, singing, and early notation skills while learning to collaborate and value each other’s contributions.

In KS2, children build on these skills through a progressive spiral curriculum, revisiting rhythm, pitch, reading music notation, listening skills, composition, and performance, both within a year group and across the key stage.

 Instrumental and vocal progression is carefully structured:

• Reception: Body percussion, Jolly Music Beginners songs and rhymes
• Year 1 & 2: Body percussion, unpitched percussion, chime bars, Jolly Music Level 1 and 2 songs and rhymes.
• Year 3: Body percussion, glockenspiels, chime bars, singing games and Pop Songs.
• Year 4: Unpitched percussion, chime bars, keyboards, singing games, Pop Songs and Pentatonic songs.
• Year 5: Djembes, keyboards, music technology (Chrome Music Lab), African songs and Partner Songs
• Year 6: Keyboards, music technology (GarageBand / Chrome Music Lab), singing in harmony.

Please see the bottom of the page for examples of our topics and learning journeys.

Children are encouraged to take creative risks, work collaboratively, and respect diverse musical traditions. Music is experienced daily through singing assemblies, Music of the Week, and listening activities, helping all pupils grow as confident, expressive musicians.

Please click the link below to see our end of year singing assembly, where Reception to Year 4 classes performed songs they had been working on in curriculum music lessons:

At our school, music sparks curiosity from the moment children enter a lesson or Singing Assembly. In EYFS, KS1, and LKS2, children explore music by reflecting on their own thoughts, feelings, and movements. In KS2, our “Composer of the Month” takes children on a journey through music history, from 1600 to today, while “Music of the Week” introduces a different genre each half term. Through these experiences, children discover new sounds, styles, and cultures, and are encouraged to listen attentively and respond in their own way, leading to wider discussions based on their own opinions and ideas.

All children have many opportunities to perform both in and out of the classroom. Live performances include EYFS Nativity and KS1 Christmas Concerts, Y3/4 Christmas Show, Y5/6 Leaver’s Show, Key Stage 2 “Springbank’s Got Talent,” plus Christmas and Summer concert opportunities for Choir, Orchestra, and instrumentalists. These experiences allow every child to engage as a performer and help them develop confidence, determination, and resilience.

Children can extend their curiosity further through a wide range of music groups and activities, including:

• Drumming Group
• KS2 Choir and Young Voices
• KS1 Choir
• Making Music Club
• Orchestra
• Small group lessons on woodwind, strings, brass, keyboard, guitar, and drums
• Year 6 Music Ambassadors
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These opportunities encourage children to explore, experiment, and discover the joy of music in many different ways.

Please click on the link below to visit our music enrichment page and see some of the musical activities that children have been involved in:

As a school we have gained the Artsmark Gold award by developing an arts-rich curriculum for our children.  We believe that by learning a range of visual and performing arts, the children will build their knowledge and skills during their time at Springbank, in order for them to be confident artists, performers and musicians.  Our aim is to bring as much experience of the wider performing arts, including Music, as we can, to widen children’s experiences beyond that they may gain at home. Recent trips, visits and workshops have included:

• Bucket Drumming and Folk Song workshops for Reception to Year 6
• Performances from instrumental students and our school orchestra
• Instrument demonstrations from our students and visiting instrumental teachers.
• Year 5 and 6 instrumentalists watched the City of Leeds Youth Music Prom, featuring Leeds Youth Jazz Rock Orchestra and City of Leeds Youth Wind and String groups.
• Theatre trips to watch musicals such as Wicked, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Shrek, plus Year 5 and 6 visited Co-op Priesthorpe Academy to watch their production of "Annie".
• Spanish guitar workshops during "Spanish Day"
• Live performances from "The Plumber Drummer", "Sam Barrett - Folk Singer" and "Duo Auloi" (flute and bassoon)
• Inclusive Christmas Concert for KS1 at Pudsey Civic Hall
• Year 1 trip to participate in "The Little Sing" at Pudsey Civic Hall

Music Learning Journeys