Music
This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years.
This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.
Part A: Curriculum Music
At Hunslet Carr Primary School, music is taught weekly using the Kapow Primary Music scheme, ensuring a progressive and inclusive curriculum across all year groups. Our music curriculum is informed by the Model Music Curriculum (March 2021) and provides pupils with regular opportunities to sing, listen, compose and perform, including whole-class instrumental and ensemble work within lessons. Music is allocated weekly across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 throughout the academic year. We are committed to increasing access for all pupils, including those with SEND and disabilities, through adaptive teaching strategies, differentiated resources, visual supports and opportunities for overlearning. Further details of our music curriculum by year group, along with information on how we support pupils with SEND, can be found on our school website: www.hunsletcarr.co.uk. We also work in partnership with our local music hub to enrich curriculum music and provide additional musical experiences for pupils.
Part B: Co-Curricular Music
Hunslet Carr Primary School offers some opportunities for pupils to sing and play music beyond curriculum lesson time. Pupils are encouraged to make further progress in music through participation in extra-curricular activities such as choir and other music clubs, which are open to pupils from selected year groups.
Part C: Musical Experience
Hunslet Carr Primary School provides a wide range of musical events and experiences throughout the academic year to enrich pupils’ musical development. Children sing together twice weekly in whole-school assemblies, and pupils in Key Stage 2 can join the school choir, including opportunities to perform at local carol concerts during the Christmas period. Children in Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Year 6 take part in musical productions for parents and carers at Christmas and other key points in the year, where pupils learn songs and perform using voices and instruments. Year 5 pupils also participate in a junk drumming workshop as part of their residential visit. In addition, all pupils enjoy live musical experiences such as an annual Christmas pantomime delivered by a visiting musical group, which is fully funded by the school and free to parents and carers. These experiences are supported through partnerships with external music providers and the local music hub.
Part D: In the future
Hunslet Carr Primary School is committed to continually developing and strengthening its music provision in future years. Planned developments include further embedding the Kapow Primary Music scheme to ensure high-quality, progressive learning across all year groups, increasing opportunities for pupils to perform regularly through termly showcases and assemblies, and expanding access to instrumental and ensemble experiences. The school also aims to broaden the range of instruments offered, enhance links with the local music hub and external providers, and continue to improve inclusive practice so that all pupils, including those with SEND and disabilities, can fully access and succeed in music. These improvements will be introduced progressively across the next academic years as part of our ongoing commitment to high-quality music education.
Further information
Further information about music opportunities in and beyond Hunslet Carr Primary School, including details of our local music hub and other music education partners, can be found on our school website. Families are also encouraged to refer to the Department for Education’s guidance for parents and young people on getting involved in music in and out of school, which provides useful advice on progression routes and additional support. Information about local opportunities is further supported by the local music hub’s plan for music education, in place from September 2024, which outlines provision available to children and young people across the area.