At BMA, we are passionate about giving every child the opportunity to enjoy and succeed in music. Our music curriculum is delivered by a specialist teacher, ensuring high-quality lessons for all pupils.
Every child takes part in a weekly music lesson, as well as a whole-school singing assembly. During these sessions, children explore a wide range of musical styles while developing confidence, performance skills and strong choral technique.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is rich, varied and highly practical, with a strong focus on performing, composing and listening. It is inspired by the Kodály approach, which promotes the belief that music should be accessible to all and can be a powerful form of expression and learning.
Lessons are carefully planned to support every learner. Children who already play instruments are challenged and extended, while all pupils build the fundamental skills needed to develop a secure musical understanding.
Learning an Instrument
In Year 3, all children take part in our ‘Wider Opportunities’ programme. Over the course of the year, they learn to play the violin, recorder and djembe drums. This provides a fantastic introduction to instrumental music and often inspires children to continue learning.
We offer a wide range of individual and small group instrumental lessons through our talented and experienced visiting music teachers, including upper and lower strings, woodwind, piano, drums, ukulele and guitar.
Performance Opportunities
Performance is at the heart of music at BMA. We provide many opportunities for children to share their talents and grow in confidence.
- School Choir – A popular part of school life, performing both in school and at large-scale events such as Young Voices and Echoes, including performances at the Royal Albert Hall.
- Melody Makers (School Band) – Our growing band performs a variety of musical styles at events throughout the year.
- Year Group Performances – Including Key Stage 1 nativities, Year 3 and 4 curriculum performances, the Year 5 ‘Five Live’ event, and the Year 6 end-of-year musical.
- Class Assemblies – Children regularly share their musical learning with families and the wider school community.
- Musical Showcase – In the final term of the year the choir, school band and a number of instrumentalists perform in an evening performance.
End Goals for Our Music Curriculum
Because I went to Bourton Meadow Academy:
- I can play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using my voice and playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression.
- I can improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the inter-related dimensions of music.
- I can listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory.
- I can use and understand staff and other musical notations
- I appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians.
- I enjoy a wide range of music and can use music as a form of self-expression.