Music

What Is Music About?

A high‑quality music education in primary school helps children make sense of themselves and the world by nurturing creativity, confidence and emotional wellbeing. Following the National Curriculum, music teaching aims to inspire pupils to develop a love of music while increasing their self‑expression, imagination and sense of achievement. Through listening, singing, playing instruments, improvising and composing, children learn to use musical vocabulary, understand how the inter‑related dimensions of music work together and appreciate a wide range of styles, cultures and traditions. Music also supports children’s wellbeing by offering opportunities for emotional expression, calm, connection and joy. It strengthens key learning behaviours such as collaboration, focus and resilience, while helping pupils develop cultural awareness and a deeper appreciation of the arts. At Heyes Lane, we teach music because we believe every child should have the opportunity to develop the confidence, creativity and sense of belonging that meaningful musical experiences bring to our school community. 

Our Vision

At Heyes Lane Primary School, we believe that music has the unique power to bring joy, connection and confidence to every child. Inspired by the belief that “Art and Music feed the heart and soul,” we aim to nurture a lifelong appreciation of music by ensuring every pupil has meaningful opportunities to listen, explore, create and perform. Our vision is that every child leaves Heyes Lane having performed to an audience at least once during their primary journey, whether in school, at community events or through wider performance experiences. We celebrate music as a way for children to express themselves, discover new cultures and genres and feel proud of their achievements. Through events such as the Summer Supper, Harvest Festival, the Year 3 Nativity at St John’s in Brooklands, performances at Sale Waterside’s Singing Festival and the EYFS Song Library Nursery Rhyme Event with cluster schools, our pupils experience the excitement, belonging and confidence that performance brings. Our thriving KS2 Choir, with over 70 dedicated singers, regularly performs in assemblies, performs in the local community - such as at Wyncourt Care Home - and takes part in the Young Voices concert, creating memorable moments of shared musical celebration. We are committed to ensuring that every child feels the joy and possibility that music offers, recognising, as Frances Clark said, that “There is music in every child. The teacher’s job is to find and nurture it.” 

What Does Music Look Like At Heyes Lane?

Music lessons at Heyes Lane Primary School are taught by our skilled PPA team and follow the high‑quality, carefully sequenced Charanga scheme of learning from Years 1 to 6. Each year group takes part in two vocal units and has an opportunity to learn a musical instrument, alongside exploring the work of two composers from different genres, cultures and historical periods. Lessons include listening and appraising a broad variety of musical styles, engaging in warm‑up activities that support vocal health and physical readiness, learning and performing songs, and developing musicianship through rhythm, pitch, improvisation and composition. Children also learn why warming up matters - not just for their voices, but for their whole bodies as developing performers. Practical work is central: pupils sing, play instruments such as recorders, ukuleles and glockenspiels and share their learning through regular performances. Private tuition is also available through Trafford Music Service, offering specialist teaching in strings and piano for those wishing to extend their skills. Throughout their musical journey, our children grow as confident, reflective musicians who engage with a rich, progressive curriculum designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and a deep appreciation of music in all its forms. 

How Do We Assess and Evaluate Our Music Curriculum?

Assessment in Music at Heyes Lane Primary School is purposeful, supportive and designed to help children know more, remember more and perform with increasing confidence. Throughout each unit, teachers gather ongoing evidence through observing practical work, listening to pupils sing and play instruments, engaging in musical discussions and sharing their learning on our Seesaw platform. Children’s knowledge of composers, genres and artists is shared verbally through our “Show Me 5” activity, where pupils learn and recall five key facts about the musician linked to the unit’s genre. This approach encourages meaningful retrieval, celebrates children’s growing cultural awareness and strengthens their connection to the music they are learning about. Live performances, both in school and in the wider community, provide valuable opportunities to showcase musical progress, develop stage confidence and celebrate pupils’ musicality. 

When assessing and evaluating the overall impact of our Music curriculum, we incorporate key principles that run consistently across all curriculum subjects at Heyes Lane. These include: 

- An increased breadth and depth of knowledge in music (substantive knowledge) – understanding musical styles, genres, composers and key vocabulary 

- A growing understanding of how Music works as a discipline (disciplinary knowledge) – developing awareness of the interrelated dimensions of music and performance conventions 

- A developing expertise in the use and application of musical skills (procedural knowledge) – including singing, playing, improvising, composing, listening critically and evaluating 

- Increasing autonomy and effectiveness as a learner – becoming more confident in rehearsing, refining and performing with intention and pride 

- A stronger ability to make connections, think deeply and use critical thinking skills when appreciating, interpreting and responding to music 

Together, these principles enable us to monitor the progress pupils make over time, ensuring that our curriculum design supports every child in becoming a confident, expressive and knowledgeable young musician. 

How Can You Help At Home?

- Encourage your child to listen to a wide range of music, including classical, jazz, pop, world music and film scores, to broaden their musical exposure.  

- Explore high‑quality UK‑based resources such as:  

- BBC Ten Pieces – engaging videos, composer information and creative activities 

- Classic FM for Kids – child friendly introductions to famous works 

- Young Voices at Home – songs and warm‑ups linked to the concert experience 

- Spend time singing together, clapping rhythms or tapping beats to build confidence and a sense of pulse.

- Ask your child about the music they enjoy and talk about how different pieces make them feel, encouraging curiosity and personal expression.  

- Watch live musical performances online or attend local concerts to inspire children and enhance their appreciation of musicianship.  

- Celebrate your child’s musical discoveries—show interest, ask questions and praise their efforts, whether they are singing, playing or simply sharing a favourite piece. 

Meet The Subject Leader

Meet the subject leader