A Clear, Whole-School Music Curriculum
This page shows how Music Crew is structured across the primary years – from Reception through to Year 6. You’ll see what’s taught in each phase, how units are grouped by year, and how musical knowledge and skills build over time. Whether you’re planning long-term coverage, preparing for inspection, or explaining your curriculum to parents, this overview shows how it all fits together.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Reception
The musical journey begins with playful exploration of sounds, movement, and rhythm. Reception pupils discover their voices, learn simple songs, and explore instruments through games and stories.
They develop listening skills, begin to understand loud and quiet, high and low, and experience music from different cultures. Every unit includes movement and outdoor activities to make learning physical and fun.
Who Are You?
Vocal exploration and self-expression
Let’s Celebrate!
Cultural music and performing together
The Animal Boogie
Movement, rhythm, and storytelling
Let’s Play!
Instruments, turn-taking, and musical games
In the Woods
Environmental sounds and nature music
At the Beach
Body percussion, dynamics, and soundscapes
Key Stage One (KS1) – Years 1 & 2
Pupils build foundational musical skills through hands-on experiences with percussion instruments, singing, and simple composition. They learn about beat, rhythm, pitch, and dynamics while exploring music from around the world.
Graphic notation introduces them to reading and writing music in creative ways, and they begin learning the recorder. Units connect to topics like the weather and fairy stories, making learning meaningful and memorable.
Year 1 Units
Whatever the Weather
Instruments, beat, and tempo
Sound Stories
Graphic scoring and sound effects
Inside My Igloo
Cultural music and performance
Music Timelines
Historical music and singing
Pirate Patterns
Understanding high and low sounds
Give Me a Sign
Dynamics, texture, and composition
Year 2 Units
Two, Four, Six, Eight
Chants, rhythm, and metre
Jolly Jingles
Structure, repetition, and composition
Happy Families
Instrument families and the recorder
The Boring Song
Singing from around the world
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Duration and improvisation
Make a Hullabaloo!
Outdoor music and creativity
Lower Key Stage Two (Lower KS2)– Years 3 & 4
Musical understanding deepens as pupils begin reading staff notation, learning about musical structure, and composing with increasing independence.
They explore tempo, texture, technology (using Audacity for sound manipulation), and develop recorder skills further. Units introduce music theory concepts like ostinato, dynamics, and different scales, while maintaining the creative, practical approach that builds confidence and enjoyment.
Year 3 Units
Codebreakers
Reading staff notation
All Together Now
Singing in unison and harmony
The Hare and The Tortoise
Tempo and musical stories
Abracadabra
Texture, technology, and sound effects
Jungle Rhythms
African music, structure, and drums
I Write the Songs
Composition and songwriting
Year 4 Units
Music Rules, OK!
Time signatures and music theory
Freedom Songs
Historical singing and harmony
Comedy Characters
Instruments and character music
Why Did The Singer Climb a Ladder?
Major and minor keys
The Magic Music Box
Timbre, tone, and famous composers
Make a Hullabaloo!
Natural materials and instruments
Upper Key Stage Two (Upper KS2)– Years 5 & 6
Pupils develop deeper musical understanding, exploring more advanced concepts like tonality, form, and musical history. They study famous composers, analyse different genres from jazz to classical, and create ambitious compositions.
Pupils engage with professional musicians through listening, analysis, and performance. By Year 6, they’re confident young musicians ready to articulate their understanding and express themselves creatively.
Year 5 Units
I’ve Got Rhythm
Rhythm patterns and cyclic music
Spaced Out
Musical theatre and composition
An Occasional Song
Celebratory music and scales
In Full Swing
Jazz, improvisation, and swing
At the Movies
Film music and soundtracks
Arriba El Carnaval!
Carnival music and world genres
Year 6 Units
Dancing with Keys
Keyboard evolution and instrumentation
Scaling Up
Advanced notation and tonality
Musical Rivalries
Famous composers and their stories
Three is a Magic Number
Trios, triads, and ternary form
Pomp and Circumstances
Ceremonial music and national anthems
Make a Hullabaloo!
Classical music analysis
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