At Cooper Perry, we aspire to provide pupils with a dynamic, exciting and engaging music curriculum that nurtures a lifelong interest and love for music. Our intent is to ensure that all children develop their musical skills, knowledge and understanding progressively as they move through the school, while also building confidence, creativity and self-expression. We believe music plays a vital role in children’s personal development and contributes significantly to their cultural capital.

Our music curriculum is underpinned by the Kapow Music scheme, which ensures a well-sequenced, progressive and inclusive approach that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. Through Kapow, pupils experience a broad and balanced curriculum that allows them to revisit and build upon musical knowledge and skills year on year, enabling them to achieve success regardless of starting point.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, music is experienced primarily through the Expressive Arts and Design area of learning. However, we recognise that music plays an important role across the whole EYFS curriculum. Through singing, rhymes, rhythm and movement, children develop early musical understanding alongside key language, communication and social skills. Enjoyment of pattern, repetition and beat also supports early mathematical awareness, while shared musical experiences encourage collaboration, listening and turn-taking.

In Key Stages 1 and 2, the Kapow Music scheme develops pupils’ skills, knowledge and understanding so that they become confident performers, composers and listeners. Children learn through singing, playing both tuned and untuned instruments, improvising, composing, and listening and responding to a wide range of music. Lessons are designed to be practical, engaging and inclusive, allowing all pupils to actively participate and succeed. Pupils also learn how music can be recorded and notated, developing their understanding of musical structure and vocabulary.

Music plays an important role in the wider life of the school. Regular singing is embedded through collective worship, allowing pupils to develop vocal skills, confidence and a shared sense of community. We also offer a vibrant school choir, which provides pupils with opportunities to rehearse, perform and take pride in working collaboratively, including performing to audiences beyond the school. In addition, pupils can access a range of individual and group instrumental music lessons as enrichment, further developing their skills and supporting those who wish to pursue music more deeply.

Throughout the curriculum and wider opportunities, pupils are introduced to music from a range of historical periods, cultures and traditions from across the world. This encourages respect, curiosity and appreciation for diversity, while helping children to understand the cultural and historical contexts in which music is created.

As a result of our music provision, pupils at Cooper Perry develop confidence, creativity and a secure understanding of key musical concepts. They are able to listen critically, perform with increasing accuracy and expression, and compose and improvise using a range of musical elements. Our children leave Cooper Perry with a strong foundation in music, an appreciation of its role in society and culture, and the confidence to continue their musical journey beyond primary school.