Music at Diamond Wood

At Diamond Wood Community Academy we will provide children with rich, vocabulary-based,

practical and creative music lessons.

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we believe that a high-quality Music curriculum should develop children’s creativity and appreciation for the wide variety of musical experiences that are all around them. We aim to fully engage children in musical learning by exposing them to a wide variety of styles of music. This will be through singing, playing and appraising, and encouraging pupils to develop their own preferences. We aim to develop all pupils confidence in being able and confident in talking about all of these elements.

Click here to read our full music Vision and Intent statement.

Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

National Curriculum 2014

Music Leader

Our Music Leader is Mrs Roberts. She is also a Reception teacher and is very passionate about providing high quality music learning experiences for all pupils. If you would like to speak to Mrs Roberts, email office@diamondwoodacademy.co.uk and address the email to her specifically.

Music Timetable

Here at Diamond Wood, we teach Music as a discrete subject in Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage 1). The pupils participate in weekly lessons.

In Nursery and Reception (EYFS) pupils also participate in weekly key worker sessions or inputs. During each half term, additional opportunities for children to develop and consolidate their learning are provided during their continuous and enhanced provision time, both indoors and outdoors.

Our Approach

Opera North’s Kirklees Schools Curriculum is primarily delivered through the 'In Harmony' programme, which embeds music into the school day and ensures that all children have regular, meaningful access to high-quality music education.

Through In Harmony, music is woven into daily learning experiences and classroom routines. For our young children, this includes weekly musicianship sessions focusing on singing, rhythm, listening and movement. These sessions are carefully designed to develop musical skills while also supporting communication, confidence and wellbeing.

The programme is delivered in partnership with Opera North practitioners, who work alongside school staff to model effective practice and support high-quality delivery. This collaborative approach provides valuable ongoing CPD for staff, building confidence and expertise so that musical learning is sustained across the school.

Last year, the In Harmony programme focused on Reception, giving children a strong foundation in early musical learning. This year, the programme has been extended into Year 1, allowing pupils to build progressively on their skills and deepen their musical understanding.

Through our partnership with Opera North and the In Harmony programme, children experience music as a joyful, inclusive and integral part of school life, while staff continue to develop their skills through expert support and training.

Music Policy

We have developed and produced a Music policy to ensure our values are applied consistently, define clear expectations, and help provide a framework for staff and pupils alike. Please click here to view our Music Curriculum policy.

Statutory Requirements

The National Curriculum for Music sets out the statutory guidance for teaching Music to KS1 pupils. Our music curriculum has been designed to ensure children learn the required knowledge and skills set out by the National Curriculum for music.

To view the statutory guidance for Music click here.

The Early Years Foundation Stage framework provides guidance for teachers focusing on developing children's musical awareness and skills within the Early Years (Nursery and Reception). The main areas for learning which are focused upon to provide the building blocks for future 'music' learning are as follows;

Personal, Social and Emotional development
Communication and Language
Expressive Arts and Design

For more information on how these areas of learning have been built into our music curriculum please see our progression map below.

Learn to speak like a Musician...

Developing SMSC within our Music Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we are committed to providing a holistic education that promotes the Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural (SMSC) development of all our pupils. Our music curriculum at the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1) plays a crucial role in fostering SMSC development, ensuring that our pupils not only excel academically but also develop into well-rounded individuals with a strong sense of community and moral responsibility.

Our music curriculum has been designed to include a variety of musical traditions, genres, and cultural influences, ensuring a broad and balanced approach to the study of music. Teachers incorporate opportunities for reflection and discussion on the emotional and moral aspects of music, encouraging pupils to consider their own values and beliefs. Enrichment activities such as music performances, visits to cultural institutions, and workshops with professional musicians are organised to enrich pupils' cultural experiences and foster an understanding of the wider cultural context of music. Collaboration with local community groups and music professionals are encouraged to provide pupils with opportunities to engage with different cultural and social contexts through music.

Collective Worship and Dedicated Singing Time

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we recognise the importance of collective worship in promoting spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Singing plays a vital role in our collective worship sessions as it fosters a sense of community and enhances the spiritual experience. Singing in collective worship at Diamond Wood Community Academy is a key element of our commitment to providing a meaningful and inclusive spiritual experience for our pupils. The aims of singing in collective worship at Diamond Wood Community Academy are to:

Foster a sense of unity and community through collective participation in singing.
Promote spiritual reflection and contemplation through the use of uplifting and meaningful songs.
Enhance the inclusive and respectful ethos of our collective worship sessions.
Provide opportunities for personal and emotional expression through music and singing.

Developing British Values within our Music Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we recognise the importance of developing pupils understanding of the fundamental British values within our music curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1). The table below outlines how we integrate and promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs within our music curriculum. We understand that these values must be embedded in the ethos of our school. This includes within the curriculum, including through music, to ensure the development of the whole child. Within our music curriculum, we encourage democratic principles by encouraging pupils to make choices and express their preferences. Through activities such as choosing musical instruments and selecting songs for performance, children learn the importance of respecting each other's opinions and expressing their own preferences respectfully.

Developing the Protected Characteristics within our Music Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we are committed to providing a music curriculum that promotes the development of the protected characteristics within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1). We believe that music education should be inclusive, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our pupils, and contributing to their understanding of equality and respect. We aim to provide our pupils with a music curriculum that celebrates diversity, promotes equality, and nurtures a culture of respect and understanding. We will provide training and support for our music staff to ensure they are equipped to deliver an inclusive curriculum that reflects the values of equality and diversity. Staff are encouraged to continuously enhance their understanding of diverse musical traditions and to integrate inclusive practices into their teaching.