A roadmap for primary music skills and knowledge

This printable PDF document outlines the progression of music skills and knowledge in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 and how it aligns with the National curriculum. For primary teachers looking for an engaging Music scheme of work, our progression of skills and knowledge helps deliver a comprehensive music curriculum. 

How can I use this document to plan my Music curriculum effectively?

The Kapow Primary Music scheme of work follows a structured, spiral curriculum. This document is a valuable tool for primary music planning, enabling you to see how skills and knowledge build upon each other from year to year. 

The document supports subject leaders and teachers when planning the music curriculum by outlining the progression of skills throughout KS1 and KS2 and showing which lessons support that progression. Use it during your planning process to ensure each year group builds on the previous one, with clear guidance on which lessons to focus on at each stage.

How do Music skills and knowledge develop at Kapow Primary?

This document outlines the development of Music knowledge across all year groups, ensuring a clear pathway for pupil learning. Progression is broken down into the following key areas:

• Listening and evaluating – expressing musical preferences; exploring the impact of musical ideas; understanding how effects are created by combining musical elements.
• Creating sound – exploring the children’s vocal skills; developing skills to manipulate sounds on a range of instruments.
• Notation – recognising the basics of musical notation; reading simple rhythmic patterns; developing the foundational knowledge of how staff and graphic notations can communicate music.
• Improvising and composing – creating and refining the children’s own music through improvisation and notation; experimenting with styles and features; employing musical concepts to add interest.
• Performing – using voices expressively; developing instrumental control and expression; performing as part of a group.

What other Kapow Primary resources support primary Music teaching? 

• For our standard music scheme, see Music: Long-term plan.
• If you follow our Long-term plan – mixed-age, see the corresponding Progression of skills and knowledge – mixed-age version.
• If you follow our Long-term plan – condensed, see the corresponding Progression of skills and knowledge – condensed.
• See how children begin their Kapow musical journey with our EYFS (Reception) Music units. 
• To learn how children develop skills, see our Music KS1 units.
• Explore more of Kapow’s Music scheme by browsing our Lower KS2, Upper KS2 and Mixed-age units.
• For six units of lessons focussing on music from different parts of the world, see our KS2 whole-class instrumental lessons.