Music

The TKAT Primary Music Curriculum

At TKAT, our aim is to enable and inspire every child to become a musician; to actively engage with fun and diverse musical experiences. We believe that being a musician requires the self-confidence to be creative and take risks. Children build their knowledge and understanding of the elements of music and develop proficiency, as they nurture their love of and an appreciation of music, and achieve personal musical success.  

The National Curriculum states that: “As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical cannon.” Therefore, the foundations of the TKAT music curriculum are underpinned by the technical, constructive and expressive pillars of musicianship, taught through the key concepts of pulse, rhythm, pitch, structure and notation. Children progressively build their understanding of these concepts in order to listen, compose and perform with growing precision and proficiency. Through this, children will make more music, think more musically and become more musical.

The TKAT music curriculum is designed on the principle of a spiralised curriculum, allowing space for exposure, experience and preparation; direct teaching of substantive musical knowledge; mindful practice; and meaningful application as children move their understanding from their conscious to unconscious mind. This, in turn, develops the qualities and characteristics of a rounded musician, ready to continue their musical journey into the next phase of their learning. 

Extra-curricular music

TKAT as a trust believes that music is a universal offer for all children, regardless of background, need, age or ability. 

We therefore hold the core curriculum at the heart of musical opportunity and proficiency. This allows all academies to ensure quality provision for all pupils

The curriculum itself is designed to provide a rich and broad offer to all children, carefully considering musical genres, origins, history and methods. The curriculum therefore offers cultural capital and wider opportunities within its core offer.

At Napier, children have access to the following opportunities:

• Opportunity to join the school choir in both KS1 and KS2.

• All children in Year 3 learn to play the ukulele.

• All children in Year 4 have ten weeks of djembe lessons.

• Opportunity to learn the trumpet, trombone or tenor horn in Year 5. 

 Musical experiences

Beyond the above wider opportunities in school, the children have access to other musical opportunities, including performing at Rochester Cathedral and the Central Theatre in Chatham. 

As part of the Kemnal Academy Trust, music leaders have the opportunity to enhance their practice through working with musical experts from the Music Masters organisation, through enhanced CPD – this then ensures expertise exist at school level to enhance the children’s experience.