Music
At Higher Lane, we believe music is for everyone. It lies at the heart of our creative curriculum and plays a vital role in nurturing confident, expressive and well-rounded children.
Music brings joy, builds community, and helps our pupils to flourish — not only as musicians, but as learners and individuals. Through music, children develop memory, language, teamwork, focus and emotional intelligence. It gives every child a voice, encourages self-belief and supports wellbeing.
Our Vision
Every child at Higher Lane will have the opportunity to experience, enjoy and excel in music.
We aim to create an inclusive and inspiring musical culture where children can:
• Discover a love of music that lasts a lifetime
• Learn to play, sing and perform with confidence
• Listen to and appreciate a diverse range of musical styles and traditions
• Work creatively — composing, improvising and reflecting on their ideas
• Celebrate music as a shared language that brings people together
Our Curriculum
Our music curriculum follows the Model Music Curriculum and is carefully designed using Charanga, Sing Up, and Kapow schemes. These support a structured progression of skills from the Early Years to Year 6, built around the core strands of listening, singing, composing, and performing.
Every child receives high-quality, engaging music lessons each week:
• Reception to Year 6: At least 45 minutes of curriculum music weekly
• Weekly singing assemblies for KS1 and KS2
• Year 4 whole-class instrumental lessons (currently guitar)
• Opportunities to learn an instrument through the Bury Music Service
• Rock Steady bands for pupils who wish to play modern instruments and perform in termly concerts
• Lower and Upper School Choirs, rehearsing and performing regularly
• Year 5 pupils performing as part of Young Voices at a large-scale concert venue
• Frequent performance opportunities through school concerts and celebration assemblies
• Visiting musicians and workshops, such as African drumming or vocal coaching
• Trips to live music events, including performances by the Halle Orchestra and other professional ensembles
• Extra-curricular clubs such as the Y6 Band, String Ensemble and Recorder Group
We are also proud of our commitment to inclusion — ensuring that Pupil Premium and SEND pupils have full access to music through funded tuition or club places.
Partnerships and Enrichment
Our strong partnership with Philips High School allows us to share expertise, resources and performance experiences, ensuring smooth musical progression into secondary education. We also work closely with Bury Music Service and Rock Steady to broaden opportunities for our pupils.
Mrs T Savage – Music Co-ordinator
Mrs Savage leads music across the school with passion and expertise. She plans and delivers curriculum lessons, leads choirs, organises concerts and musical visits, and responds to pupil voice — ensuring that every child who wants to take part in music has the opportunity to do so.
At Higher Lane, music doesn’t just enhance learning — it enriches lives.