Music 2023 - 2024

Mrs Jopson

Welcome to the Music page.  

In music, we use a diverse range of authentic composers, songwriters and performers as a basis for our music lessons. Children increase their cultural capital  by learning about different pieces of music, their comnposers and the contexts in which they were composed. We ensure that, over a two year cycle , children have exposure to a broad range of different genres such as, classical, rock, pop, electronic, R&B, Motown, rap folk, and reggae to name but a few.  Children listen to, appraise, sing and play in response to these pieces and develop their understanding of key musical elements from one year to the next.  Most units of work include a chance for children to improvise and compose either rythmically or melodically. Children are encouraged to encounter formal musical notation as well as using other informal notation methods such as graphical scores. All children are given the chance to perform, either to the rest of the class or a larger audience. 

 A highly skilled team of peripetetic speciallist music teachers are provided to suppliment the curriculum so that children are given the opportunity to learn guitar or keyboard. Parents are offered the opportunity to attend a concert where their child can showcase their learning to the whole school. 

 At St James' C of E Junior School we take great pride in our Christmas and Summer productions. This gives children the opportunity to work together to be part of two whole school productions over the course of the year. Both take place on a real stage and in two different contexts. At Christmas we perform in St James' Church, and in Summer we perform at Whitehaven Civic Hall. 

We seek out other opportunities for children to explore and use their musical talents as and when they arise. For example carol singing in the community or being part of a 'Big Sing' event organised by the local music service. Please find our curriculum map for music below. 

Children also have the opportunity to be part of a school choir known as 'Sing Squad'. This takes place as an extra-curricular activity after school and is run by Reverend Jackson from our church. We are delighted to be performing alongside the Committed2Rock choir this year on Friday 9th December. Please find the backing tracks below to help your child practice at home.

Files to Download

Music: Gallery items

Create it!, by Mrs Spencer

Contact Us

Please direct all enquiries to Mrs H Maiden at the school office:

Telephone 01946 695311 or email admin@stjamesjun.cumbria.sch.uk


Headteacher: Mr Andrew Beattie

St James' Church of England Junior School. Wellington Row, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 7HG