We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded the new Music Mark of Recognition for Dedication & Improvement from the Hampshire Music Education Hub. 

This award recognises the good practice of music at St. Johns and our continued commitment to:

• Advocate for the importance of music education in the curriculum and creative life of our school.

• Provide an equitable, diverse and inclusive music education for every young person.

• Welcome opportunities to broaden our musical horizons by working with providers in our community and beyond.

At St John’s, our intent is to provide every child with a rich, ambitious, and inspiring music education that nurtures a lifelong love of music. Through singing, performing, composing, and listening, children will grow in confidence, express their creativity, and take pride in their achievements.

We aim to foster enthusiasm for music while equipping pupils with the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to continue their musical journey both within and beyond primary school.

Daily collective worship and regular performance opportunities give children the joy of singing and performing together, while also teaching the importance of teamwork and building a strong sense of belonging within our school and wider community.

We recognise the powerful link between music and wider learning. Music strengthens listening, memory, literacy, and numeracy skills, while encouraging focus, imagination, and creativity. For this reason, music is woven into daily school life through singing and exposure to diverse musical styles, enriching the whole curriculum.

Our Core Christian Values, Compassion, Creativity, and Courage, underpin everything we do at St John’s, guiding children to flourish and achieve well in the future.

Music is integral to our Early Years curriculum. Children enjoy singing nursery rhymes, number rhymes, and simple songs led by staff. They explore percussion instruments to accompany songs and compose their own music. Musical instruments and resources are freely available within the learning environment, encouraging exploration and creativity as part of continuous provision.

In Key Stages 1 and 2, music teaching follows the National Curriculum for Music. By the end of Key Stage 2, children will be able to:

• Perform, listen to, review, and evaluate music across historical periods, genres, styles, and traditions, including works of great composers and musicians.

• Sing confidently, use their voices creatively, compose individually and collaboratively, learn an instrument, use technology appropriately, and progress towards musical excellence.

• Understand and explore how music is created, produced, and communicated through pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure, and notation.

• Read and use staff and other musical notations.

We use Charanga’s Creative Music Scheme, which fully supports the National Curriculum and provides access to a wide range of musical concepts and experiences. Children in Years 2–6 learn tuned instruments during whole-class lessons and have opportunities to compose and perform:

• Year 2: Glockenspiel

• Years 3 & 4: Recorder

• Years 5 & 6: Ukulele

Children enjoy a variety of enrichment activities, including listening to live music, attending theatre performances, singing in the local community, and showcasing their talents in parish events. Music plays a central role in Christian celebrations such as Nativity and Easter performances, with the annual carol service at St John the Baptist Church, Shedfield, remaining a cherished tradition for pupils, families, and the wider community.

St John’s offers a wide range of extra-curricular music activities, including choir, belleplates, orchestra, Rocksteady, and peripatetic lessons, delivered by both school staff and external providers.

We are committed to inclusivity, ensuring that all pupils , regardless of ability, have access to meaningful musical experiences. Our curriculum is adapted to meet diverse needs, raising self-esteem and celebrating success so that every child can reach their full potential.

Through our music curriculum, children will:

• Enjoy and appreciate a wide variety of musical styles.

• Explore how sounds are made and how music is produced by different instruments.

• Learn to play instruments and read staff notation.

• Develop imagination, creativity, and self-expression.

• Build a secure sense of pulse and rhythm.

• Understand and use a wide range of musical vocabulary.

• Strengthen skills in composition, improvisation, performance, and appreciation.

• Sing a wide repertoire of songs with accuracy and confidence.

• Develop positive attitudes, experiencing success and satisfaction in music.

What our children say:

 

“I like singing with my friends.” WB Year 1

“I like creating my own music on the computers.” LC Year 3

“I like playing in the orchestra because I don’t have any instruments at home so I can express myself at school."  DT Year 5

“I like learning the cornet.” FB Year 6

 

For further information about Rocksteady Music School, please visit: Home - Rocksteady Music School

For further information about Hampshire Music Hub, please visit:  Home - Hampshire Music Education Hub 

 

Useful websites to improve your child's knowledge and skills at home:

Play it!, Music - BBC Bitesize - Primary Games - BBC Bitesize