At Northfield Manor Primary Academy, we hold the ‘Music Mark’ school member certificate which recognises our commitment to providing a high-quality music education for all children.

We teach music through the use of a scheme called ‘Charanga Musical School’. The scheme supports all the requirements of the national curriculum and in-line with the guidance from Ofsted, this scheme takes an integrated, practical, exploratory approach to musical learning.

How the scheme is structured:

Each unit of work comprises the of strands of musical learning which correspond with the national curriculum for music:

1. Listening and Appraising
2. Musical Activities

• Warm-up Games
• Optional Flexible Games
• Singing
• Playing instruments
• Improvisation
• Composition

3. Performing

All children in year 3 are taught to play the ukulele by specialists from Birmingham Music Services. Children have the opportunity, if they wish, to continue learning their instrument for the remainder of their time at Northfield Manor. All children who learn an instrument take part in a school music concert where they are able to share their learning with parents and the school. Children that demonstrate particular aptitude in whole-class lessons are identified and encouraged to take additional elective lessons to nurture and grow the talent.

Throughout their school life, children take part in a variety of musical experiences such as Christmas Nativity, Key Stage 2 Carol Service, Year 6 Leavers’ Production, Xmas Factor and weekly singing practice.

Curriculum Overview