Music

Intent

Music is a universal language that fosters creativity, expression and cultural understanding and connection. At Allfarthing, our intent is to provide a high-quality, inclusive music education that engages, motivates and inspires all pupils. We are committed to ensuring that every child develops the knowledge, technical skills and musical understanding needed to become confident, expressive and excellent young musicians.

We aim to nurture a lifelong long love of music by offering rich opportunities for children to sing, play instruments, create, perform and listen with increasing confidence and sophistication. Additionally, we have a focus on shared music experiences to develop a sense of belonging and community, within and beyond our school. Music is inherently inclusive, allowing pupils of all abilities and backgrounds to engage, collaborate and express themselves.

Through exposure to a diverse range of musical styles, cultures and historical traditions, pupils develop curiosity, open-mindedness and critical awareness. They learn to recognise and appreciate the artistic, social and cultural significance of music in their own lives and in communities across the world.

By the end of their primary experience, every child will have secure musical understanding, the confidence and skills to perform and create, and the opportunity to progress further in areas of individual interest and talent.

Implementation

Following the National Curriculum and the Model Music Curriculum, music lessons are structured around five interconnected strands:

• Performing – including singing and instrumental performance
• Composing – including improvisation and structured composition
• Listening – including appraisal, analysis and critical engagement
• History of Music – developing awareness and appreciation of a diverse range of musical heritages, contexts, styles and significant composers 
• Dimensions of Music – pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and notation

Lessons are sequenced to develop pupils’ musical knowledge and skills incrementally, ensuring that children revisit and build upon prior learning as they advance through the school. SEND pupils are supported through making reasonable adjustments for the individual child and we have access to adapted instruments and noise control where necessary to ensure excellence for all pupils in music.

Music is embedded into daily life at Allfarthing.  Across all year groups, pupils learn topic-related songs and teachers use call-and-response singing . Music is also used during movement breaks and independent reading to promote calm, focus and emotional-wellbeing.

To develop vocal confidence and musicianship, all children participate in weekly singing assemblies, where they learn to sing with accuracy, expression and awareness of others. Pupils in Years R, 1 and 6 take part in specialist-led Vocal Projects delivered by expert teachers from the Wandsworth Music Hub. These projects culminate in large-scale performances alongside other schools from across the borough, including opportunities to sing in prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall.

In Year 3, every child receives weekly whole-class instrumental tuition for the entire academic year. Each pupil is loaned their own clarinet or saxophone and taught by a specialist instrumental teacher. All children develop technical skills, as well as learning to read basic notation, building up to termly performances.

From Year 4 onwards, pupils can access a wide-range of additional small-group, or individual instrumental lessons, again delivered by Wandsworth Music Hub specialists.

A variety of extra-curricular opportunities enhances and extends our curriculum learning. Pupils can join wind band, rock band and choirs. Our termly Music Week enables children to perform to peers, families and the wider community. Pupils also represent the school in local events, including an annual choir performance at Home Start’s Charity Christmas Carol Concert and taking part in the World Heart Beat Project.

There are also a number of music-related trips throughout the year that help develop pupils’ cultural capital and ensure enriching opportunities for all. For example, a trip to watch a rehearsal of London’s Philharmonic Orchestra and Rhythm workshops.

Impact

In November 2025, the school was awarded the Music Mark Recognition for Ambition and Quality by Music Mark which acknowledges the strength, breadth and inclusivity of music provision at Allfarthing.

We monitor the impact of our music provision by assessing pupils’ progress across the main five strands of music. Evidence is gathered through ongoing observations within classroom lessons and in-school performances, as well as written and spoken responses demonstrating understanding of musical features and contexts. Teachers receive CPD to support accurate assessment, effective planning and strong subject knowledge. Collaboration with specialist teachers further ensures that musical learning is of high quality and accessible to all pupils.

Furthermore, there is a high demand for instrumental lessons and extra-curricular activities, many of which now have waiting lists, which highlights the strength of pupils’ enthusiasm for music. A number of Year 6 pupils have also achieved music scholarships to secondary school as a result of the provision provided at Allfarthing.

Music plays a vital role in uniting our school community. Through shared experiences of singing, ensemble playing, creative exploration and performance, pupils develop teamwork, resilience and a sense of collective pride. The joy of music-making enriches the culture of the school, fostering strong relationships and a supportive environment for all learners.

Pupils’ confidence is evident in the regular performance opportunities offered throughout the year, both individually and as part of ensembles. Their enthusiasm and positive attitudes towards music are consistently reflected in pupil voice, participation levels and engagement with extra-curricular activities.

Our music provision continues to enrich pupils’ personal, social and academic development. We remain committed to building upon this success to ensure excellence for all within music.