The revised National Plan for Music Education (NPME) bolsters our commitment to school and community music
The refreshed National Plan for Music Education has now been published, prompting organisations across the sector to consider the part they play in making sure that all young people, regardless of circumstance, have access to a high quality and inclusive music education.
RSMF’s General Manager, Cathy Grant, gives some initial observations:
Although it will take time to examine the finer details of the plan, we welcome its ambitions. The long-term decline - particularly in primary music - is well documented, and we all have a responsibility to address this, particularly for the children that need it the most.
The recommendations for children to have at least one hour of music per week (preferably delivered by a music specialist), access to instrument tuition, a choir and performance opportunities, all strike at the heart of what we’re supporting schools to achieve, but we don’t underestimate the challenges faced by schools that want to deliver this.
We’re glad the plan stresses a partnership approach – for music hubs to develop a ‘sustainable local infrastructure for high quality music education and music making’ – we’ve already seen how partnerships between schools, charities and music organisations can boost music provision – and we know there’s much more we can achieve if we all work together.
We’re also pleased to see that inclusivity is central to the plan. The delivery partner for our schools’ programme - Sing Education - were actively involved in advising the expert panel for the NPME, with director Alice Cadman advising on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) inclusion in the music curriculum. Ensuring equality of access for all to a high quality and progressive music curriculum is at the heart of Sing Education’s mission, and they are already working to identify areas for growth in the music provision (both curricular and co-curricular) at our partner schools.
We’ve been partnering with Easterside Primary Academy in Middlesbrough for a year now. With over 50% of their children receiving means-tested free school meals, their children are among the most disadvantaged in the UK. Our support has helped the school to put in place weekly progressive music lessons for all pupils and develop their after-school choir.
The Principal at Easterside commented:
“It’s been a fantastic first year and we can’t wait to continue the journey with you! It’s had a huge impact on our music provision, and we can see this through the way in which pupils talk about their music knowledge and skills. Thank you.”
Plans for next year include a music holiday club at the school and the development of local performance opportunities for their young musicians.
Finally, engaging with young people to help develop our work and making sure that our work reflects the diverse ways they access and interact with music, is a vital next step for our young charity and I’m excited about where that could take us.