Intent Statement
At Great Linford Primary School we use the KAPOW scheme to underpin our music learning. The intent of the curriculum is to enable children to develop a life-long love of music and to fulfil their creative, musical potential. We focus on developing the skills, knowledge and understanding that children need in order to become confident performers, composers and listeners. Our curriculum introduces children to music from across the world and generations, teaching children to respect and appreciate the music of all traditions and communities.

We intend for children to have a range of musical experiences alongside their curriculum so that they also have a musical toolkit to continue to succeed in their music education into secondary school and beyond. 

We work in close partnership with the Milton Keynes Music Faculty to network and provide our children with a personalised curriculum that reflects our local area.


Implementation
At Great Linford Primary School we take a holistic approach in which strands are woven together within a spiral curriculum development. This in turn creates an engaging and enriching curriculum.
Each of our strands run alongside a releveant cross-curricular topic to enagage, enrich and provide children with a meaningful context for learning within music.
The five strands are:
  • performing
  • listening
  • composing
  • noatation
  • the interrelated dimensions of music.

At Great Linford Primary School we take pride in singing together as a whole school community each week, but also within our classes. Children are taught how to sing fluently and expressively for a purpose. At Christmas we host Carols on the Playground; a whole school community singing event. In Year 2 children attend the Milton Keynes Primary Singing Festival and children in Y3-6 also have the opportunity to attend Voice in a Million which is a national singing event held  at Wembley OVO Arena.

Children are taught how to play tuned and untuned instruments accurately with control and expression. Children also have the opportunity to play the recorder/tooty flutes for one term in year three. In Year 6 children attend the Open University Orchestra concert, which runs alongside their music topic. In Years 2-6 children experience a 'roadshow' provided by the Milton Keynes Music Hub.

Children will learn about the interrelated musical dimensions (building blocks) and how these weave together to create music of different genres and generations.  These are:
  • pitch
  • duration
  • tempo
  • timbre
  • structure
  • dynamics
  • texture
.They will use these expressively within their own improvisations and compositions throughout their music education journey.

The teaching is provided by our Music Specialist Teacher Miss Creed from Years 1-6 who also supports EYFS teachers in their delivery of music. Each year group also has a 'music performance' opportunity to enrich their music learning.

Within lessons, children are focused on being 'musical' and actively making music through the use of sing, dance and instruments. Musical learning is drawn from a range of styles and traditions; developing their musical skills and understand of how music is made in a range of different methods. 

Music is also promoted outside of the curriculum alongside MK Music Co-op and Rocksteady. Children have opportunities to showcase their instrumental learning journey each term. Some children also have the opportunity to attend local music festivals.
Impact
Within our school the use and personalisation of the KAPOW scheme is constantly monitored through use of formative and summative assessments at the end of each unit against the appropriate expected learning outcomes.
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​We use our online 'Music Floor Book' to document children's musical learning journey. This contains photos and recorded examples of performances to support their learning and moderation of their assessments. . Formative assessment within lessons is routinely used  to adapt provision within and across individual lessons. Regular opportunities are created to rehearse key vocabulary and knowledge through continuous class based assessment. Teachers meet with the subject leaders to moderate  assessment, and to identify any adaptation to provision that may be necessary for provision of learning to enable continued success and progress within music.
Progression
Please see our progression document that shows how our curriculum strands develop from EYFS - Y6.
music Performance & enrichment
 Music Performance and Co-Curricular Enrichment at GLPS:
  • Nativity - EYFS & Year 1 
  • Carols in the Community - EYFS + KS1 Choir
  • Winter Instrumental Concert  - MK Music Co-op Instrumental Children
  • Winter Music Celebration - Year One
  • Voice in a Million @ Wembley OVO Arena (KS2 Choir) (Every 2 years)
  • Carol Festival at St. Andrews Church - Year 3 
  • MK Music Service Performance Showcases
  • Year 4 Samba Showcase
  • Primary Music Festivals(MK Music Hub) - Year 2
  • World Music Day! - Dress Up as a musician/singer/nursery rhyme character and a celebration of music in our school.
  • Summer Instrumental Performance & Awards.
  • Year 5 Musical Theatre Trip to MK Theatre.
  • Y6 Orchestra Trip 
  • Year 6  Leavers Production
Local Community Links
  • Singing and Instrumental performances at St Andrews Church.
  • Collaborating ands singing with other schools at our local Primary Music Festivals.
  • Voice in a Million on a National Level.
  • Singing and Performing at Local Care Homes.
Supporting From Home
Music Development PLan
Please find our most recent Music Development Plan below:
Updated 08.09.25

Music in our school...
We shall support the National Plan for Music Education by:
  • Advocating for inclusive and impactful music provision within your community,
  • Developing relationships with local schools to strengthen music education,
  • Sharing best practice, and
  • Collaborating closely with the BLMK Music Hub.
We pledge to:
  • •Advocate for the importance of music education in the curriculum and creative life of our school
  • Provide an equitable, diverse and inclusive music education for every young person
  • Welcome opportunities to broaden our musical horizons by working with providers in our community and beyond

Our Music Curriculum Journey

Great Linford Primary School Music Road Map

Instrumental Lessons with the MK  Music Coop

Picture
Instrumental Lessons are being 'handed over' to the MK Co-op this year. The MK Co-op will now be taking Instrumental Lesson enquiries and payments directly. 

Here are 5 reasons why learning an instrument is good for children:
🎵 Boosts Cognitive Development – Playing an instrument strengthens memory, attention, and problem-solving skills by engaging multiple parts of the brain.
🧠 Improves Academic Performance – Studies show that children who study music often perform better in math, reading, and language due to enhanced pattern recognition and discipline.
💬 Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem – Mastering songs and performing in front of others helps children gain confidence and a sense of achievement.
🤝 Encourages Social Skills and Teamwork – Playing in bands, orchestras, or ensembles teaches cooperation, listening, and working towards a shared goal.
😊 Fosters Emotional Expression and Creativity – Music gives children a healthy outlet to express feelings and develop creativity in a fun, rewarding way.

FLUTE INSTRUMENTAL LESSON SPACES - sign up now!! Link Form: mkcoop.eepos.fi/#/forms

Instruments Available to Learn
​
Acoustic Guitar
Aural Training
Bass Guitar
Bassoon
Cello
Clarinet
Cornet
Double Bass
Drum Kit
Electric Guitar
Euphonium
Flute
French Horn
Keyboard
Oboe
Orchestral Percussion
Piano
Pipe Organ
Recorder
Saxophone
Singing
Tenor Horn
Theory
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Ukulele
Viola
Violin

Your child can start to learn an instrument at any time in the year, please contact Katie from the MK Music Co-op.
Via email: [email protected] or phone: 07984240967

​Milton Keynes Music Faculty

MK Music Service ensures that all young people are able to receive an excellent music education and that they have opportunities to develop their music skills through high quality instrumental and vocal tuition as well as progressive wide-ranging musical experiences.
Our school works closely with the MK Music Service to provide further opportunities for Music Education beyond our school setting.

 Music Ambassadors -  for 25/26...... 

Music Mentors are children from Year 6 who show an exceptional commitment and ability as a young leader, as well as a passion for music. They will develop their leadership and communication skills through the responsibilities of being an ambassador for music. 
The pupils selected for this year are.....
  • Reuben
  • Lilly-Mae
  • Lena
  • Louisa
  • Ethan
Music Mentors will be encouraged to be role models for others by displaying the ROOTS in relation to music:
  • Respect All: Respectful and safe
Model and encourage respectful, safe and responsible behaviours when using instruments including use of digital music making programs.
  • Overcome Challenges: Supportive
Encourage others to take part in music, supporting and positively encouraging them.
  • Open Minds: Learn new skills
Willingness to learn a range of musical skills and instruments, having knowledge of different genres of music.
  • Take Care: Use of equipment
Model and encourage responsible use of instruments to ensure they are maintained to a high standard.
  • Speak Kindly: Teamwork
Working as part of a team when composing and performing music.
 
The main roles of a Music Mentors will be to:
  • Help and support others using instruments and taking part in music in the classroom.
  • Create how-to guides for different audiences.
  • Monitor use and storage of computing equipment.
  • Report to the School Council on the potential development of music in school.
  • Lead ‘in-house’ training for sharing best practice – singing and playing instruments
  • Support others in understanding the importance of Music.
  • Become experts in modelling musical skills e.g. composing, performing​