At Pendle Community High School and College, we want pupils to love music. Our vision is to give pupils access to an engaging and fun music curriculum reflecting the world they live in now, but at the same time giving them access to musical styles throughout history. Through the curriculum pupils are able to listen to and appraise a variety of musical styles alongside performing pieces and creating their own compositions through the use of voices, body sounds, instruments and technology. To achieve this, all pupils access a variety of musical games, songs, instruments, music workshops, and extra – curricular music clubs e.g. singing and signing, choir and a band. We aim to inspire a love of music that not only develops subject specific knowledge and skills, but also challenges pupils to consider their understanding of music through history, art, technology and culture. We want pupils to grow in confidence as they progress through the curriculum and become more passionate in their responses to music. 

We aim for pupils to use music to help maintain emotional and social well-being and to enjoy it recreationally. The curriculum will support and inspire pupils to develop a love of music, improve their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement and have opportunities to celebrate culture and community through music. Pupils will begin to develop their understanding, make musical judgements, apply their new learning, develop their aural memory, express themselves physically, emotionally and through discussion and create their own musical ideas. This music curriculum aims to foster an increasing enthusiasm for the subject amongst our pupils and life-long musical enjoyment.  

The impact of this music curriculum will lead to progress over time relative to a pupil’s individual starting point. Those pupils with a particular interest or aptitude in music will be given the opportunity to extend their education in a variety of ways, for example, orchestral groups, singing club, instrumental performances in assembly. The music curriculum is planned to demonstrate progression; to build on and embed current skills. We focus on progression of knowledge and skills in the different musical components and the teaching of musical vocabulary also forms part of the units of work.  

Whilst in school, pupils have access to a varied programme, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The integral nature of music and the learner creates an enormously rich palette from which a pupil may access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to children individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world.  

Pupils are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose – either as listener, creator or performer. As a pupil progresses through the school, they develop an understanding and appreciation of music. Impact is also recognised in pupils’ contributions and enthusiasm in lessons; their participation in performances and assemblies. 

Pupils further develop their abilities in the 4 key drivers of the curriculum and some pupils will become more confident in analysing their own work, performing and expressing their views and opinions of music. The depth of knowledge that pupils will attain will vary but all will demonstrate progress from their individual starting points. This knowledge will be enhanced by visitors to school, educational visits and performances which provide opportunities for further relevant and contextual learning.