At Gilbert Colvin Primary School, our music curriculum aims to inspire a lifelong love and appreciation of music. We provide a broad and engaging curriculum that develops pupils’ musical skills, vocabulary, and creativity. Through listening, performing, composing, and appraising, children explore diverse musical styles and cultures, reflecting our school's inclusivity. We aim to nurture confidence, self-expression, and collaboration while ensuring all pupils develop an understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music, including pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and notation.
While the Charanga Musical School Scheme forms the foundation of our music curriculum, we also enhance pupils' musical experiences through Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET) in Years 3, 4, and 5. As part of this program, children learn an instrument over the course of half a year, developing musicianship, ensemble skills, and performance confidence.
We follow the Charanga Musical School Scheme, which aligns with the national curriculum and offers a progressive, practical, and child-led approach to musical learning. Each unit includes:
- Listening and Appraising – Exposing children to a wide range of musical genres and historical contexts.
- Musical Activities – Developing key skills through singing, playing instruments, improvisation, and composition.
- Performing – Encouraging self-expression and confidence through individual and group performances.
In addition, WCET in Years 3, 4, and 5 provides structured instrumental learning in partnership with Redbridge Music Service (RMS). Pupils learn to play strings, brass, or woodwind instruments with a focus on:
- Musicianship and Music Literacy – Developing skills in rhythm, melody, notation reading, and ensemble playing.
- Ensemble Skills – Keeping a steady beat, playing in time with others, and maintaining part independence.
- Improvisation and Composition – Exploring and creating musical ideas both individually and collaboratively.
- Performance – Playing in school concerts, with opportunities for parents to attend and celebrate progress.
Pupils are expected to take instruments home for regular practice, and assessment is carried out throughout the program in partnership with school staff. Additional performance opportunities, including borough-wide events and concerts at prestigious venues, further enrich pupils’ musical education.
Beyond WCET, our enrichment program includes live performances, specialist-led workshops, borough-led instrumental tuition, and Rocksteady Music School sessions.
By the end of their primary education, children will have developed a solid foundation in musical skills, enabling them to appreciate and engage with music beyond school. They will:
- Demonstrate confidence in performing and composing music.
- Understand key musical elements and apply them creatively.
- Recognise and appreciate a variety of musical genres and cultures.
- Develop resilience, teamwork, and self-expression through music.
- Gain hands-on instrumental experience through WCET, equipping them with skills to continue learning an instrument if they choose.
- Have performed in front of an audience, gaining confidence and a sense of achievement.
Our structured approach ensures children leave Gilbert Colvin with a deep appreciation of music and the skills to continue their musical journey.