Music at St James

At St James, we follow the KAPOW Music curriculum. This is a spiral curriculum model where previous skills and knowledge are returned to and built upon. Children progress in terms of tackling more complex tasks and doing more simple tasks better, as well as developing understanding and knowledge of the history of music, staff, and other musical notations, the interrelated dimensions of music and more.

In each lesson, pupils will actively participate in musical activities drawn from a range of styles and traditions, developing their musical skills and their understanding of how music works. Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work as well as improvisation and teacher-led performances. Lessons are ‘hands-on’ and incorporate movement and dance elements, as well as making cross curricular links with other areas of learning.

Intent

The intention of following the Kapow Primary music scheme is first and foremost to help children to feel that they are musical, and to develop a life-long love of music. It focuses 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 all around the world and across generations, teaching children to respect and appreciate the music of all traditions and communities. Children will develop the musical skills of singing, playing tuned and untuned instruments, improvising and composing music, and listening and responding to music. They will develop an understanding of the history and cultural context of the music that they listen to and learn how music can be written down. Through music, our curriculum helps children develop transferable skills such as team-working, leadership, creative thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and presentation and performance skills.

Young Voices 2026

Children have been attending the Young Voices concert for several years now which is a fantastic opportunity for children to take part in a live music concert as part of the largest choir in the world. This year, Young Voices is celebrating it's 30th year and a group of our children in school have been practicing every week to prepare for the occasion. This year's concert is on Monday 26th January.

Coventry Cathedral at Christmas

The last two years, children from St James have been invited to sing at Coventry Cathedral with other schools in our MAT with Mrs Cook. It is a fantastic experience that the children have hugely enjoyed. Here are some of their thoughts about taking part this year.

Willow - ‘It’s the best evening ever!’
Matilda - ‘Best choir’
Emily - ‘I love singing at Coventry Cathedral!’
Nana-Aba - ‘We are having a great time’
Camden - “It feels like Christmas’
Savannah - ‘It’s a lot of fun’
Beauden - ‘ Amazing time’
Paul - ‘Spectacular!’

What an amazing opportunity!