Music

Music at Cribden House is joyful, practical and expressive. It provides pupils with rich opportunities to explore instruments, sounds, rhythm and voice while building confidence, communication and creativity. Music is used to support emotional well-being, self-expression and social development, and plays an important role in our therapeutic and nurturing approach. Across all pathways, learning is multisensory and highly engaging, giving every child the chance to participate, respond and perform.

Being Pathway

On the Being Pathway, Music is taught within the Expressive Arts area of the Being Curriculum. Learning takes place through a three-year cycle of sensory, play-based topics such as “All About Me,” “Seasons,” “Growing” and “Under the Sea,” giving pupils regular opportunities to explore sound in meaningful contexts.

Children take part in singing, clapping, body percussion, movement, using simple instruments and responding to music. They explore rhythm and pulse through repetition, dancing and sensory play. Adults model enjoyment and lead musical routines that help children develop early communication, anticipation and turn-taking.

Music is about engagement rather than performance—every response counts, whether that is smiling, tapping, vocalising, moving or selecting an instrument. Evidence is captured through observation, photographs and Tapestry.

Doing Pathway

On the Doing Pathway, Music is part of the Performing Arts (Music, Dance and Drama) strand of the Doing Curriculum. Lessons are practical, hands-on and taught through meaningful topics such as “Animals,” “Buildings,” “Jobs,” “Transport,” “Hot and Cold,” and “All Around the World.” Children develop independence, social interaction, communication and confidence through music-making.

Pupils explore beat, rhythm, tempo, pitch and sound patterns using tuned and untuned percussion, digital tools and their own voices. They sing, create simple compositions, copy rhythms, and take part in group performance. Music supports emotional regulation and helps pupils express themselves in creative and non-verbal ways.

Because learning is structured through the Doing Curriculum ranges, every small step is recognised—from choosing an instrument or joining a song, to performing a rhythm or composing a short pattern. Assessment is gathered through photos, videos, observations and Tapestry, celebrating participation, engagement and expressive outcomes.

Thinking Pathway

On the Thinking Pathway, Music is taught as a subject-specific part of a two-year thematic cycle, supported by National Curriculum expectations. Pupils explore performance, composition, notation and musical appreciation, developing technical and creative skills over time.

They learn to:

sing and perform with control and expression
play tuned and untuned instruments
compose and improvise using rhythm and melody
read and write simple musical notation
listen to and respond to music from a range of cultures, genres and historical periods

Music is woven into thematic topics—for example, composing soundscapes in The Iron Man, exploring chants in The Great Plague, studying rock and blues in Rock & Roll, or creating rainforest soundtracks in Amazon Adventures. Pupils reflect on their work, share performances and evaluate what they have created.

Assessment includes discussion, recordings, observation and class journals, linked closely to National Curriculum skill progression.

Across all pathways, Music at Cribden House:

promotes enjoyment, confidence and creativity
supports communication, interaction and emotional well-being
builds rhythm, coordination and listening skills
introduces music from different cultures, styles and periods
celebrates every step of musical exploration and achievement

Music gives pupils a powerful way to express themselves, connect with others and experience success. Whether through rhythm, sound, movement or performance, Music helps every child find their voice.