Music
Our music development plan
Detail | Information |
Academic year that this summary covers | 2026 – 2027 |
Date this summary was published | September 2026 |
Date this summary will be reviewed | July 2027 |
Name of the school music lead | Rhianneth Highfield |
Name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different) | Claire Keeler |
Name of local music hub | Black Country Music Hub |
Name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place) | CBSO Wolverhampton Music Service Black Country music Hub |
This summary explains how Wednesfield Technology Primary School will deliver music education during 2026–2027, as the school continues to grow and will include EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2. It outlines our curriculum music, co-curricular provision and wider musical experiences, alongside the partnerships that support our pupils’ musical development. Our aim is for every pupil, including those with SEND and those who may face barriers to participation, to learn to sing, play, create, perform and listen with confidence.
Curriculum music
This section sets out what pupils are taught in lesson time, how music is planned across EYFS and Key Stage 1 and how pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to sing, listen, compose, perform and evaluate.
At Wednesfield Technology Primary School, music is planned as an important part of a broad, ambitious and creative curriculum. In 2026–2027, our provision will reflect the school’s growing age range, with music taught across EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2. Our curriculum is informed by the National Curriculum for Music, the Model Music Curriculum and the expectations set out in the National Plan for Music Education.
In EYFS, music is woven through the E3L curriculum and the specific area of Expressive Arts and Design. Pupils develop early musicianship through singing, rhythm, movement, listening, pattern, call and response and imaginative play. Music also supports communication and language, personal, social and emotional development and pupils’ understanding of the wider world.
In Key Stage 1, pupils receive regular curriculum music through planned lessons and music focus days. As WTP will have Year 2 in 2026–2027, the curriculum will be sequenced to build from the foundations established in Year 1. Pupils will continue to develop accurate singing, steady pulse, rhythm and pitch awareness, listening skills, simple notation, composition and performance. Year 2 pupils will have opportunities to revisit and deepen prior learning, use a wider range of classroom percussion and tuned instruments and begin to talk with increasing confidence about musical choices using appropriate vocabulary.
Music is taught both as a connected part of the E3L curriculum and as a discrete subject when specialist teaching or focused musical development is required. This enables pupils to make meaningful links with themes such as history, culture, storytelling and community while also securing the subject-specific knowledge and skills needed to progress as musicians.
Pupils are encouraged to create and compose music, learn to use their voices expressively, explore how music is produced and communicated and use technology appropriately to support musical creativity. Through listening, performing and composing, pupils encounter a range of musical traditions, styles, genres and composers, including music from different cultures and historical periods.
Our curriculum is inclusive. Pupils with SEND are supported to take an active part in music through adult support, adapted resources, sensory approaches, repetition, visual prompts, flexible grouping and carefully scaffolded tasks. Where appropriate, pupils are supported to participate through movement, gesture, vocalisation, instruments or technology so that barriers to musical expression are reduced.
Partnerships with organisations such as the Black Country Music Hub, Wolverhampton Music Service and the CBSO support the development of pupils’ musical knowledge, confidence and cultural capital. These partnerships help us to widen pupils’ experiences beyond the classroom and strengthen staff confidence in delivering high-quality music education.
Co-curricular music
This section describes the opportunities pupils have to sing, play, rehearse and perform beyond core lesson time, including assemblies, focus days, clubs and enrichment opportunities.
Co-curricular music at WTP is designed to help pupils develop confidence, enjoyment and a sense of belonging through shared musical activity. In 2026–2027, opportunities will be available across EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2, with provision growing in line with the school’s age range.
Music focus days will continue to support and deepen curriculum learning. These days allow pupils to work with a music specialist, revisit key knowledge and develop practical skills in singing, rhythm, listening, composition and performance. For Year 2, focus days will be used to strengthen progression from Year 1 and prepare pupils for the broader Key Stage 2 musical offer as the school continues to grow.
Pupils will take part in regular singing opportunities through assemblies, classroom routines and school celebrations. We will continue to develop a Key Stage 1 singing group or choir-style opportunity so that pupils who show particular enjoyment or confidence in singing can rehearse more regularly and perform for the school community.
As pupils move into Year 2, we will begin to explore a simple classroom ensemble model using voices, untuned percussion and tuned percussion. This will support pupils to listen to one another, follow a leader, keep a steady pulse, play simple rhythmic and melodic patterns and experience the discipline and enjoyment of making music together.
We will continue to monitor participation so that pupils who may not otherwise access musical experiences, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND, are encouraged and supported to take part. Where clubs or additional opportunities are introduced, leaders will consider cost, access, confidence and communication with families so that provision remains inclusive.
Musical experiences
This section outlines the musical events, performances and listening opportunities pupils will experience during the year, including singing assemblies, celebrations, performances and access to live or streamed music.
Pupils at WTP will have regular opportunities to experience music as performers, listeners and audience members. Weekly singing assemblies will continue to support a shared school repertoire, vocal confidence and the wellbeing benefits of singing together.
Throughout the year, pupils will participate in musical performances linked to school celebrations and curriculum themes. These will include EYFS and Key Stage 1 nativity performances, seasonal celebrations, special assemblies and opportunities to perform for parents, carers and the wider school community. As Year 2 joins the school, pupils will be given more responsibility within performances, including leading parts, keeping rhythm, singing in groups and using instruments where appropriate.
Pupils will continue to access live or streamed performances through partnerships with organisations such as the CBSO, Wolverhampton Music Service and the Black Country Music Hub. Where possible, we will prioritise relaxed and accessible performances so that all pupils, including those with sensory needs, can enjoy high-quality musical experiences.
Listening opportunities will be broadened through assemblies, classroom routines and curriculum links. Pupils will be introduced to music from different times, places and traditions and will be supported to talk about what they hear, how it makes them respond and how composers and performers use the elements of music.
In the future
This section identifies the priorities that will support the continued development of music as WTP grows beyond Year 2 in future academic years.
As the school continues to grow, the following priorities will guide the further development of music:
- Secure a regular singing assembly for all pupils, lasting approximately 25 to 30 minutes, with a planned repertoire that develops progressively across the year.
- Develop a shared listening culture by introducing pupils to key pieces of music, staff favourites and a wider range of music from different cultures, traditions and historical periods.
- Strengthen partnership work with the Black Country Music Hub, Wolverhampton Music Service, CBSO and local musical groups to increase access to live performance and specialist input.
- Audit instruments and resources to ensure that EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 have access to high-quality, age-appropriate equipment, including inclusive resources for pupils with SEND.
- Use music intentionally to support pupils’ wellbeing, confidence, communication and sense of belonging.
- Provide staff CPD so that teachers and support staff feel increasingly confident in leading singing, rhythm work, listening activities and simple composition.
Further information
Further information about our music provision is available through the school curriculum information.
The school will continue to draw on guidance and support from the Black Country Music Hub, Wolverhampton Music Service, CBSO and Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust as music provision grows across the primary phase.
