Music is woven into the fabric of life at Highgate Junior School, so much so that it often feels like an extra-curricular school. We approach music education with a broad and thoughtful lens – designing our curriculum with purpose, enriching it through a wide-ranging programme of ensembles and choirs, and embedding musical experiences into everyday school life beyond the classroom.
From the moment pupils enter Year 3, their musical journey begins with energy and agency. Our flagship programme, HeadStart, invites Year 3 pupils new to orchestral instrument learning to choose from an array of 12 instruments – from violin to double bass, flute to bassoon, trumpet to tuba – and enjoy a full year of free instrumental hire and tuition in small groups led by our expert music teachers. The programme not only opens doors to musical discovery but also builds confidence, teamwork and long-lasting friendships. HeadStart shapes the musical landscape of the Junior School: ensemble participation is at an all-time high, and it is incredibly rewarding for our former HeadStart pupils to now be taking the lead in our more advanced ensembles.
With over eighty percent of Junior School pupils learning an instrument, there is ample opportunity for pupils to both learn from and lead others. At the root of this vibrant culture is our team of 35 Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) who are not only exceptional educators, but also professional musicians, performing with world-class orchestras and prestigious ensembles on national and international stages. Their active engagement in the music industry bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world artistry – an inspiring experience that deepens our pupils’ appreciation for the craft and motivates them to reach new heights in their own playing.
Ensemble participation is key to a musician’s progress, and our 20 weekly music clubs enable pupils to develop essential musicianship skills whilst discovering their niche. From “Recorder Revellers” to “Ballyhoo Brass”, our ensembles foster teamwork, sharpen listening skills, nurture commitment and celebrate the joy of making music together. These ensembles are open to pupils across the year groups, and it is a delight to see our older year groups motivate our younger learners in the rehearsal room and on stage. There’s also a healthy slice of competition too: the whiteboard in Music Classroom 2 bears witness to the age-old Jazz vs Rock Band feud…
Singing pervades the corridors at the Junior School. Every Thursday we have a whole-school singing assembly, in which pupils and staff eagerly anticipate which song will be that week’s congregational anthem. I thoroughly enjoy curating a diverse repertoire that spans several decades and genres, including work from Nina Simone, Jamie Cullum and Felix Mendelssohn among many others. I arrange the verses in the songs so that each year group, and staff, has a dedicated line to sing independently. Combined with the unison singing of the choruses, this structure helps us fully harness the uplifting wellbeing benefits of communal singing. I’m continually inspired by the energy and commitment pupils bring to assembly song learning in lessons, especially when a whole class jumps at the chance to sing solo parts. This is something that seems special to Highgate – a musical resilience in knowing that success will be celebrated, and a miss-pitch here or a forgotten rhythm there will be warmly treated as a shared moment of growth.
In collaboration with the drama department, each year we stage multiple productions, with recent shows including Shrek the Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Jungle Book. It is very special for pupils to have the time to put on these shows, not least because Highgate does not have any transition assessments to contend with; there is much more space within the timetable to delve deeper during rehearsals and to enjoy contextual learning surrounding the history of the repertoire. It is a joy to see quieter pupils come out of their shell in the weeks leading up to the shows, and for the more confident pupils to experience the thrill of lifting others up and contributing to a truly collaborative effort.
Performance is at the heart of the music department. The Michaelmas term alone hosts 18 concerts! Formal performances include end-of-term ensemble concerts that combine over 130 young musicians, and a hall filled with eager audience members. Pupils write their own programme notes and introduce their performances to the audience, which deepens their connection to the material. Additionally, every Thursday at the start of the whole-school assembly, a group of pupil musicians will play, involving beginners who showcase a handful of notes right through to those offering finessed, demanding pieces. The extensive choirs programme – including two auditioned and two non-auditioned choirs – presents both in-house performances and those further afield, including St Michael’s Church in Highgate, St Mark’s Church in Dalston, Southwark Cathedral and Wembley Arena.
Inside the classroom, I view the curriculum as a launchpad for musical growth – a place to expand creative thinking, interrogate assumptions and celebrate the diverse musical experiences of our pupils. In class music lessons, we journey from ancient Japanese-inspired pentatonic composition right through to Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz’s underground works – stopping along the way at Northern Indian classical music, European plainchant and the birth of Blues. Our pupils bring such energy, insight and openness to each topic and task, and it’s in the depths of enthusiastic discussions and debates that the classroom feels most alive.
At Highgate, our insatiable hunger for music provides a dynamic, shared language that brings us together. In a world that often feels hurried and disconnected, music creates a vital space for joy, reflection and belonging. It is a privilege to work in a school that whole-heartedly embraces this.
About the author Hettie Feiler, Head of Junior School Music Hettie has been at Highgate for four years as Head of Junior School Music. Before becoming a teacher, she worked as a theatre and media composer and continues to compose for mixed ensembles, as well as her pupils. Hettie enjoys playing badminton, the piano, and Articulate.
