At Billingshurst Primary Academy, music is a vibrant and integral part of our school life, woven through both the curriculum and wider school experiences. It plays a key role in supporting our core values of ambition, belonging, and courage.
Curriculum music is taught through class lessons and is structured around three core strands: Improvise and Compose, Sing and Play, and Listen and Appraise. This broad and engaging curriculum allows all children to develop essential musical knowledge, skills, creativity, and confidence in a progressive and inclusive way.
Our curriculum also includes exciting instrumental learning opportunities. In Year 2, children take part in a 12-week percussion unit, developing their rhythm, coordination, and ensemble skills. In Year 3, every child learns to play the ukulele through weekly lessons delivered by West Sussex Music, running across the whole year. In Year 4, pupils undertake a 12-week recorder unit, further building their musical fluency and notation reading.
Beyond the classroom, children experience a wide range of musical opportunities. Weekly singing assemblies bring the whole school together through shared song, promoting belonging and joy. Pupils perform in class assemblies and learn songs as part of their project-based learning, giving them opportunities to express themselves and develop performance confidence. Major annual events such as the EYFS Nativity, KS1 Christmas Concert, KS2 Christmas Singing Extravaganza, and the Year 6 Show provide exciting platforms for children to showcase their musical talents to families and the wider community.
Our KS2 choir performs regularly in the local area, helping pupils feel connected to their community and proud to represent the school. Children also have the opportunity to take individual or small group instrumental lessons through West Sussex Music or join Rock Steady Music’s Rock Band sessions, which encourage collaboration and musical growth.
Through these rich and varied musical experiences, our pupils are encouraged to be ambitious in developing their musical abilities, to feel a sense of belonging through shared musical experiences, and to show courage when performing and exploring their creativity.
