The distinctive contribution of music to the curriculum

Music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think
and act. It brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and
emotional development. As an integral part of culture, past and present, helps pupils
understand themselves and relate to others, forging important links between the home, school
and the wider world. The teaching of music develops pupils' ability to listen and appreciate a
wide variety of music and to make judgements about musical quality. It encourages active
involvement in different forms of amateur music making it, both individual and communal,
developing a sense of group identity and togetherness. It also increases self-discipline and
creativity, aesthetic the sensitivity and fulfilment.

The aims of music and how these contribute to the school’s aims

• To foster children’s sensitivity to, and their understanding and enjoyment of, music, through an active involvement in listening, performing and composing and appraising.
• To enable all children to realise their individual creative potential and to express themselves through music.
• To enable children to acquire and develop the musical skills involved in performing, composing, listening and appraising.
• To extend and develop children’s awareness and understanding of traditions, idioms and music styles from a variety of cultures, times and places.
• To enable children to experience fulfilment which derives from striving for the highest possible artistic and technical standards within any style of musical expression.
• To develop, through music, skills which contribute to learning across the curriculum.
• To contribute to the community and the ethos that is the school.