🎶 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.