Music
Intent
(Why we teach Music)
At St James we strive to cultivate a real enjoyment of music and aim to deliver high quality music teaching; supporting and encouraging all children to achieve their full potential.
Through our music lessons we offer the opportunity to develop a widening repertoire which children can use to create original, imaginative, fluent and distinctive composing and performance work. Children will gain a deeper understanding of how the historical, social and cultural origins of music contributes to the diversity of musical styles, further enriching their cultural capital which allows pupils to progress and develop critical engagement within music. Children will be exposed to a wide variety of music genres which they may never have experienced and can lead to a passion for and commitment to a diverse range of musical activities.
Curriculum Map- Charanga scheme
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 | |
Reception | Learn and sing nursery rhymes | Learn to sing nursery rhymes and action songs | Learn to sing nursery rhymes and action songs | Learn to sing nursery rhymes and action songs | Transition unit for Year 1 | Reflect, rewind and replay |
Year 1 | Hey You! Hip hop song | Rhythm In The Way We Walk (Reggae style) | In The Groove | Round and Round | Your imagination | Reflect, rewind and replay |
Year 2 | Hands, Feet, Heart- South African music | Ho,Ho,Ho- a Christmas song | I Wanna Play In A Band by Joanna Mangona – a rock song for children. | Zoo time-a reggae song for children by Joanna Mangona | Friendship song | Reflect, rewind and replay |
Year 3 | Let your spirit fly- rhythm and blues song | Glockenspiel stage 1 | Three Little Birds by Bob Marley – a Reggae song. | The Dragon Song | Bringing us together- disco song | Reflect, rewind, replay |
Year 4 | Mamma Mia | Glockenspiel stage 2 | Stop- a rap | Lean on me- soul/gospel song | Blackbird | Reflect, rewind, replay |
Year 5 | Linin' on a prayer- rock song | Classroom Jazz 1 | Make you feel my love- pop ballad | Presh Prince of Bel Air- hip hop | Dancing in the street | Reflect, rewind, replay |
Year 6 | Happy- pop song | Classroom jazz 2 | A new year carol | You've got a friend | Music and Me | Reflect, rewind, replay |
Music knowledge and skills progression
MUSIC SPINE
Throughout both key stages the children will have access to a wide range of music to listen to, learn about and enjoy.
Music spine
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Children at St James are given the opportunity to learn a woodwind instrument and the guitar. They also receive whole class sessions with a music specialist in djembe and samba.
Children in Key Stage Two are able to join the school choir and have the chance to perform in the Forest Art's winter concert and also in the Young Voices concert.
Our School Choir
In the Autumn term our Choir sang at Walsall Arts Arena alongside other primary schools. The theme this year was christmas around the world and the children learnt songs in spanish and polish. They practised extremely hard and were, as always, a credit to St James.
They also performed at the Key Stage 2 carol concert in St James' church. We are so proud of you all.
Our next concert is Young Voices on 12th January.
Concerts


