The Music Curriculum at St Thomas'

Excellence

High-quality music education engages and inspires pupils, helping them to develop an appreciation of music while also boosting their self-confidence, creativity, and sense of achievement. Specialist music teachers deliver lessons using a variety of resources and strategies, ensuring that high expectations are maintained and that teaching is of the highest quality. As a result, pupils develop strong knowledge, skills, and understanding in music, while maintaining their curiosity, interest, and enjoyment.

Experiences and Life Skills

St Thomas’ offers a wealth of musical experiences that help pupils develop both their musical skills and important life skills. From Key Stage 1, children are immersed in music through the Liverpool Cathedral Schools Choir, where they engage in singing, learn new songs, and have frequent opportunities to perform for their classmates, teachers, and parents. Every lesson concludes with a mini performance, helping to build confidence while celebrating their growing musical achievements. At the end of each unit, classes perform for wider audiences, such as in STAR assemblies or community events.

Throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, pupils also have the opportunity to take part in Rock Steady, an optional program that delivers music lessons through rock music. In Key Stage 2, children additionally learn djembe drumming and ukulele with specialist music teachers, putting their musical knowledge into practice. Pupils perform in pairs, small groups, and as a whole class, showcasing their talents in concerts for peers, teachers, and parents.

Music at St Thomas’ has the power to bring people together, both within school and in the wider community. Throughout their time here, children are encouraged to be actively involved in the school’s musical life, from productions and assemblies to musical mornings and after-school clubs, including choirs.

Our ultimate aim is to inspire children through music during their primary education, giving them skills, confidence, and experiences that they can carry into high school and beyond, while living out the message of Jesus: “Come follow me, live your lives the way God wants you to.”

Celebrate Diversity
Diversity is celebrated by exposing children to a variety of genres within their music education at St Thomas’. Music is one of the central building blocks of any culture and the shared knowledge of music is crucial in understanding where we came from and our place in the world. When children leave St Thomas’, they will have an understanding of music from different cultures, backgrounds and moments of time in history. Genres of music covered include world music, jazz, folk and classical. The songs and pieces will be taught with cultural and political links where appropriate to further implement understanding and to show how music can have an influence on society. 

Christian Values
Worship is a daily part of life at St Thomas’ where our Christian Values are illustrated through music. The school comes together to celebrate the life of Jesus and the children have singing assemblies where they learn hymns and religious songs. Performance opportunities are given at different stages of the church calendar such as Harvest and Easter. Year groups are assigned to be involved in a celebration which guarantees children are involved in each festival by the time they leave St Thomas’ and they can also see how music can strengthen their religious beliefs.

Reading and Vocabulary
Vocabulary is an important part of a music lesson. The teacher will introduce the children to the new vocabulary, including an action to help with recall.
Reading is developed by KS1 children reading the STAR words for each lesson. In KS2, both rhythmic and staff notation will be introduced and the children will learn how to read music while they play their instrument. This allows pupils to be taught music independently both in class and after they have left school. Reading music is a wonderful skill, it can be interlinked with other instruments they may wish to learn and it is a skill that can be used throughout their lives as their musical ability progresses.

Knowledge Rich and Academic
Jesus said, ‘Come follow me, live your lives the way God wants you to.’
Children at St Thomas’ will have a deeper understanding of composers through the ages. They will learn the different periods of music and be able to name a few composers from each period. Children will have an awareness of different musical styles and forms of pieces. In addition, they will also have a firm understanding of the different elements of music and how they are inter-linked. There will be progression in knowledge in areas such as rhythm, pitch, structure, harmony, texture, dynamics, and instrumentation.