Music at St Richard’s Catholic Primary School

At St Richard’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that music is a powerful and joyful part of school life. We are passionate about nurturing the whole child and recognise the important role music plays in developing creativity, confidence, wellbeing and self-expression. Music brings people together, enriches our Catholic worship and provides children with opportunities to experience success, develop talents and discover new passions.

Our music curriculum is carefully structured to develop pupils’ understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music, including pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics and timbre. Through singing, listening, composing and performing, children develop musical knowledge and skills progressively as they move through the school. Lessons are primarily delivered through the Music Express scheme, which provides a broad, engaging and well-sequenced curriculum that enables all pupils to participate and achieve.

Singing is at the heart of music at St Richard’s. Every Wednesday, the whole school comes together for our Hymn Assembly, where pupils learn and celebrate a rich repertoire of hymns and liturgical music. These gatherings play an important role in our Catholic life, enabling pupils to worship together and experience the joy of communal singing.

We are fortunate to work closely with a Diocesan Singing Leader, who delivers weekly singing sessions to our Year 3 and Year 4 pupils. These specialist sessions help children develop vocal technique, musicality and confidence whilst fostering a love of singing.

Music extends far beyond the classroom. We offer a range of peripatetic music lessons, including guitar, violin and woodwind, providing pupils with opportunities to develop instrumental skills and discover their musical talents. We are proud to have a staff team that includes talented musicians who share their expertise and enthusiasm with our pupils, helping to create a vibrant musical culture throughout the school.

Each year, we celebrate the achievements of our young musicians through our Annual Music Concert, where pupils have the opportunity to perform and showcase their talents to families and the wider school community. These performances help children develop confidence, resilience and pride in their accomplishments.

At St Richard’s, we value music as an essential part of a broad and balanced education. Through high-quality teaching, enrichment opportunities and a culture that celebrates creativity, we aim to develop confident performers, thoughtful listeners and enthusiastic musicians who will carry a love of music with them throughout their lives.