🎶 Music at Cottesbrooke

At Cottesbrooke Infant & Nursery School, music is about joy, expression, and exploration.
We want our children to enjoy singing, moving, listening, and making music — while also developing a strong foundation of musical knowledge and skills.

We now use the Charanga music scheme across EYFS and Key Stage 1. This award-winning programme is fully aligned with the National Curriculum and provides an exciting, progressive, and inclusive music experience for all children.

🎵 Music in the Early Years

In Nursery and Reception, music is part of Expressive Arts and Design and is woven into daily routines and continuous provision.
Children explore sound through:

  • Singing nursery rhymes and simple songs

  • Using instruments and body percussion

  • Moving to music and expressing mood through sound

  • Listening and responding to different genres of music

  • Charanga units that introduce basic pulse, rhythm and pitch in playful, age-appropriate ways

These early experiences help build confidence and lay the foundations for structured music learning in Key Stage 1.

🎼 Music in Key Stage 1

In Years 1 and 2, children follow a clear progression through the Charanga scheme, developing musical knowledge and skills through topics such as:

  • Pulse, rhythm and pitch

  • Singing in unison and rounds

  • Using tuned and untuned percussion instruments

  • Listening and responding to music from different cultures and genres

  • Composing simple patterns and performing confidently

Each unit includes opportunities for listening, singing, improvising, composing, and performing — while also linking to themes in other areas of the curriculum where appropriate.

🌍 Why Music Matters

Music helps children to:

  • Build confidence and creativity

  • Work collaboratively

  • Express themselves in new ways

  • Explore different cultures, feelings and traditions

  • Develop listening, memory and coordination skills

It’s also just a brilliant way to bring the school community together — from class performances to singing assemblies and festive celebrations.

🎧 Want to Know More?

We use the Charanga Musical School scheme to deliver high-quality, engaging music lessons across EYFS and Key Stage 1.

You can find out more about the programme here:
🔗 Charanga Music for Parents

If you have any questions about how music is taught at Cottesbrooke, please speak to your child’s teacher.

 

Music Curriculum Design

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Music Progression EYFS

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Music Progression Key Stage 1

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Policy

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