Vision

Every Child is a Musician

Creating, performing and finding joy in music together

At Stanwix School, we believe that every child is a musician. Through inclusive, ambitious and enjoyable musical experiences, we nurture children’s confidence, creativity and self-expression. Our carefully planned spiral curriculum enables pupils to revisit, build upon and extend their musical knowledge and skills as they move through school. We aim to ensure that every child can participate, succeed and develop a lifelong appreciation of music. 

Music provides opportunities for children to perform, create, listen, evaluate and collaborate. Through these experiences, pupils develop musical understanding alongside important personal qualities such as confidence, resilience and teamwork.

Curriculum Overview

Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception)

Music is taught as part of the Expressive Arts and Design area of learning. We use the Charanga Music Scheme alongside planned provision and learning through play. Children develop their musical knowledge, skills and creativity through discrete teaching, as well as planned and spontaneous musical opportunities both indoors and outdoors.

Key Stage 1

Music learning is underpinned by the Charanga Music Scheme. Pupils develop foundational musical skills, confidence and a love of music through singing, listening, performing and composing. Children learn to:

• Sing expressively and with increasing confidence
• Play tuned and untuned instruments
• Listen attentively to a range of music
• Create and combine sounds through performance and composition

These experiences help pupils develop musicality while fostering enjoyment and enthusiasm for music. 

Key Stage 2

Building on prior learning, pupils continue to develop technical accuracy, fluency and musical understanding through the Charanga Music Scheme. Children are encouraged to perform with increasing confidence, compose and improvise with purpose, and explore music from different cultures, traditions and historical periods.

Our music curriculum provides the opportunity for all Year 5 pupils to learn the violin through whole-class tuition delivered by a specialist from the Cumbria Music Hub. This experience allows children to develop instrumental skills and perform both individually and as part of an ensemble.

Music Beyond the Classroom

We believe that music should extend beyond curriculum lessons, providing children with memorable opportunities to perform, collaborate and experience music in different settings.

Young Voices

Children have the opportunity to take part in Young Voices, performing as part of a massed choir alongside a live band and under the direction of a world-renowned choral conductor. 

Music Festival

Pupils can showcase their talents through solo and ensemble performances as part of local music festival opportunities. 

Visiting Musicians

We welcome visiting performers and ensembles who enrich our curriculum through performances, workshops and inspiring musical experiences. 

School Choir

Our school choir meets regularly and is led by a Director of Consort from Carlisle Cathedral, giving pupils additional opportunities to develop their singing and performance skills.