“I don’t sing because I’m happy, I’m happy because I sing.” — William James
At Abingdon, we believe that every child has a voice.
Music is a powerful way for children to express who they are, connect with others and experience the confidence that comes from creating something together. Our music curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and deliberately shaped around our children and community, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to sing, play, listen, compose and perform.
We work with Sing Education to provide high-quality music provision across the school. Our curriculum meets the National Curriculum expectations while reflecting the extraordinary cultural diversity of Abingdon. Children encounter music from different cultures, traditions and periods, including music that reflects the languages, heritage and experiences represented within our own community.
Every child has a voice
Our ambition is that every child experiences success in music, regardless of their starting point, prior experience or confidence.
Children learn to sing, play instruments, listen critically, compose and perform. They develop musical vocabulary and understanding alongside technical skills, creativity and expression.
We deliberately create opportunities for children to experience music together. Singing and playing as part of a group develops not only musicality but also listening, cooperation, confidence, concentration and a sense of collective achievement.
For some children, music provides a particularly powerful route into participation. A child who may be hesitant to speak in another context can find confidence through singing or performing. A child who finds classroom learning difficult may discover a strength through rhythm, melody, creativity or performance.
Inclusion means widening access to excellence.
Music that reflects who we are
Our school community brings together many cultures, languages and musical traditions. We want children to recognise themselves in the music they encounter and to understand that their musical heritage is something to be valued and shared.
Our work with Sing Education and our singing teacher enables us to go beyond the weekly music lesson. Last year, children explored and performed songs from across the cultures represented within our school, culminating in a performance at the Town Hall where children had the opportunity to perform in their home languages.
This was about much more than singing.
It gave children an opportunity to say:
This is part of who I am. This is part of my family. This belongs in our school.
It also gave the wider school community an opportunity to listen, learn and celebrate.
This is how music contributes to belonging: children see themselves, hear themselves and are heard by others.
Developing musical confidence
Our partnership with Sing Education provides children with high-quality musical teaching and opportunities to develop their skills progressively.
We also work with a specialist singing teacher who supports children to develop their voices beyond the timetabled music lesson. This creates additional opportunities for children who want to deepen their confidence, technique and performance skills.
Children who discover a particular musical interest or talent are supported to take this further, including those who pursue instrumental learning or musical opportunities beyond school.
We want children to understand that their musical journey does not have to end when the school day does. For some, Abingdon will be the beginning of a lifelong relationship with music.
Music beyond the classroom
Alongside weekly music lessons, children have opportunities to extend their musical experiences through:
- our school choir, with opportunities to perform locally and regionally;
- ukulele club, developing instrumental skills, ensemble playing and confidence;
- singing opportunities supported by our specialist singing teacher;
- performances and musical celebrations across the school year;
- opportunities to share music with families and the wider community; and
- support and encouragement for children who choose to pursue instruments or musical interests beyond school.
Our choir provides a particularly powerful example of how music builds community. Children learn to listen to one another, respond to a conductor, rehearse with commitment and perform as one group.
They discover that every voice matters — and that the strength of the whole depends upon everyone contributing.
Music, RSHE and personal development
Music contributes significantly to children’s wider personal development, SMSC and wellbeing.
Spiritually, music gives children opportunities for reflection, expression, wonder and emotional connection.
Socially, children learn to collaborate, listen, respond and create together.
Culturally, they encounter music from across the world and develop pride in their own heritage while appreciating the traditions of others.
Morally, they develop an understanding of how music can communicate identity, experience, emotion and ideas and can bring people together.
Music also supports children’s understanding of difference and identity, helping them appreciate the diversity of cultures, languages and experiences within their community.
Music and the ARCH
Music provides rich opportunities for children to live our Abingdon ARCH:
- Aspirations – discovering musical possibilities and having the confidence to perform, create and develop new skills.
- Resilience – practising, rehearsing, making mistakes and trying again until something improves.
- Harmony – literally and metaphorically learning to listen to others, contribute to a group and create something together.
- Commitment – sustaining effort, preparing for performance and taking responsibility for developing a musical skill.
Music makes these values visible. We teach children that progress comes through practice.
We teach them. We model them. We practise them. We revisit them. We celebrate them.
From voice to belonging
We know that music can change how children see themselves.
A child who sings confidently may find their voice in other areas of school life. A child who learns an instrument develops perseverance and independence. A child who performs in front of an audience discovers that their contribution has value. A child who hears their home language celebrated experiences the powerful message that they belong.
Our music curriculum therefore contributes to our wider impact journey:
Belong → Participate → Find your voice → Build confidence → Flourish → Thrive → Achieve.
“Where words fail, music speaks.” — Hans Christian Andersen
At Abingdon, we want every child to have the opportunity to find their voice — and to know that their voice matters.
Music Progression Document
Music this term at Abingdon
Please find the link to the Music programme of study https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239037/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Music.pdf
