Overview

Detail	Information
The academic year that this summary covers	2026-2027
The date this summary was published	Autumn 2026
The date this summary will be reviewed	Autumn 2027
The name of the school music lead	Emily Ralph
The name of school leadership team member with responsibility for music (if different)	Sarah Bitcon
The name of the local music hub	Severn Arts
The name of other music education organisation(s) (if partnership in place)	Nicki Fox

This is a summary of how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years. This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.

Part A: Curriculum Music 

At Orchard Primary and Pre-school, music education is embedded throughout the curriculum using the Charanga scheme, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all year groups.

Pupils benefit from additional opportunities to develop their musical skills through private piano and clarinet lessons, with Year 5 pupils participating in the Severn Arts “Play to Learn” keyboard programme, where the school funds both lessons and instrument hire.

Weekly music assemblies focus on singing, recognising the voice as the primary instrument for every child, while assemblies also include music appreciation segments featuring different genres and eras to broaden pupils’ cultural understanding. Termly concerts and shows provide valuable platforms for pupils to showcase their musical progress. The school’s music lead and other staff members, who are accomplished musicians themselves, inspire pupils with their enthusiasm and expertise. An overview of the curriculum is accessible on the school website. 

To further enhance musical progression, Orchard Primary School is developing a clear progression framework that interlinks technical, constructive, and expressive skills, ensuring pupils systematically build on prior learning. The school plans to introduce regular formative assessments to track musical development and tailor teaching accordingly. Additionally, the curriculum will be expanded to incorporate more explicit teaching of music theory and composition, deepening pupils’ creative understanding. 

Part B: Co-curricular Music 

Beyond the classroom, pupils at Orchard Primary have access to a wide range of co-curricular music opportunities. Private one-to-one lessons in piano and clarinet are available, supporting individual musical development. Participation in external initiatives such as Voices and Vision further enriches pupils’ musical experiences.

Annually, the whole school participates in a large-scale show at the local theatre, where every child performs either as a soloist or as part of the chorus, fostering confidence and a sense of community. 

Part C: Musical Experiences 

Orchard Primary values the importance of live musical experiences as a vital part of pupils’ cultural education. Each year, pupils attend live performances at local and regional theatres, providing them with inspiring opportunities to experience music in professional settings. The school ensures these enriching experiences are accessible to all pupils, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusivity and equal access to the arts. 

At Orchard Primary School, we see performances as an integral part of musicianship. All children who learn to play an instrument get the opportunity to play in front of the school. We have a range of pre-recorded music to listen to and live music outside of school.
Experience	Age Range	Frequency
School singing practice	Whole School	Weekly
Music appreciation / Musician of the Week Assembly	Whole School	Weekly
Early Years Music Festival	Reception	Spring Term
Clarinet and Piano Performances	Y4-6	Termly
Carols in the community	Year 6	Autumn Term
Christmas Service in the Abbey	Whole School	Autumn Term
Young Voices	Year 4	Spring Term
Trust Music Festival	KS2	Spring Term
Keyboard Performance	Year 5	Summer Term
End of Year Show	Whole School	Summer Term

In the Future 

Looking ahead, Orchard Primary School aims to broaden its instrumental teaching programme by utilising its existing class sets of drums, ukuleles, and xylophones more effectively.

This expansion will be supported through the recruitment of additional music teachers, enabling more pupils to access instrumental tuition and develop their musicianship.

This forward-thinking approach aligns with the school’s vision of fostering high self-esteem, aspiration, and collaboration through rich musical experiences. 

Details of our music curriculum can be found here.