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What the national plan for music education means for children and young people

Published 20 January 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/music-education-information-for-parents-and-young-people/what-the-national-plan-for-music-education-means-for-children-and-young-people

The government published the power of music to change lives: a national plan for music education. It sets out a vision to enable all children and young people to:

  • learn to sing, play an instrument and create music together
  • have the opportunity to progress their musical interests and talents, including professionally

Every child should receive a great music education. Learning about music and having the opportunity to play musical instruments and make music together is a vital part of a rich and rounded education. Music plays a key role in brain development. It helps to develop language, motor skills, emotional intelligence and collaboration skills.

While the value of learning, enjoying and making music is undeniable, so is the value of music to our economy. Pre-pandemic, the music industry generated £2.9 billion in exports and supported 200,000 jobs. Music education fuels the talent pipeline into this world-leading industry.

This document sets out:

  • what the national plan for music education means for children and young people
  • where parents and young people can go for more support

Music education in school

A great music education in school would include:

  • at least one hour of classroom music teaching for key stages 1 to 3 (years 1 to 9)
  • access to lessons across a range of instruments, and for singing
  • opportunities to join your school choir or vocal group
  • opportunities to join your school ensemble, band or group (such as an orchestra or rock band)
  • opportunities to have your music heard - for example, in concerts, competitions or shows
  • opportunities to go to live performances at least once a year
  • opportunities to take music qualifications in secondary school - for example:
    • GCSEs
    • A levels
    • vocational technical qualifications (VTQs)
    • graded music exams

Music education outside of school

Where you have an interest, your school and local music hub can support you to:

  • take music lessons for instruments or singing outside of school
  • join groups, orchestras or choirs out of school
  • perform out of school
  • make your own music and learn music in your own time
  • share music you have composed, created or recorded in a live concert or online
  • go to live concerts and listen to music by your peers, local community or professionals

Music hubs

Music hubs provide music education opportunities in every part of the country. This includes:

  • working with teachers in the classroom to provide great music education
  • providing opportunities within schools for children and young people to:
    • learn instruments
    • sing, either on their own or in small groups
    • join choirs, orchestras, bands and other types of ensembles
  • providing opportunities to learn and enjoy music outside of school

To find contact information for your local music hub, visit Arts Council England. If you’re still not sure how to find your local music hub, ask your teacher.

Support to access musical opportunities

Speak to your teacher to find out what you can get involved in, and what help is available.

Support and guidance may be from your school, music hub or another organisation in your area. It could include:

  • access to musical instruments or music technology
  • space to practise, such as a quiet room in school, available to you outside of lesson time
  • access to facilities such as a recording studio or computer suite where you can record, produce or mix music
  • support with going to concerts and performances (including help to afford tickets or help with getting to venues)
  • guidance on how to take your next steps with music, including how to access national organisations where you can meet other young musicians
  • information about studying music in further education or at university and how studying music can support your wider career goals
  • information about careers in music and how to get into them

National Youth Music Organisations help to develop talented young musicians across a range of musical genres. They provide support to music hubs and many further and higher education settings.

Support with costs, fees and access

These organisations provide support with costs, fees and access to music. This includes:

  • costs for musical instruments, lessons and rehearsal spaces
  • financial support to take part in activities with youth music organisations beyond school

Your local music hub may provide financial support for some activities.

The Music and Dance Scheme provides grants for children and young people aged 8 to 19 with exceptional talent and potential. They help with fees at 8 independent schools and 21 centres for advanced training.

The Youth Music NextGen Fund offers young creatives aged 18 to 25 grants of up to £2,500 to launch creative projects, ideas or businesses.

Awards for Young Musicians offers grants to talented children and young people aged 5 to 17 to support with music-making.

Take it Away provides interest-free loans to buy musical instruments.

UK Music’s rehearsal spaces project supports rehearsal spaces across the UK. Each space provides instruments and equipment for free or for a minimal cost.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) offers advice on:

  • music education
  • employment
  • ABRSM braille exam pieces
  • buying and loaning music

Further information and resources

Read about other young musicians in the power of music to change lives: case studies. The ‘musical pathways: individual stories’ section shows how they first became involved in music and where it has taken them.

BBC Bitesize resources support the study of music across all stages and exam boards.

BBC 10 pieces includes classical music films, instrumental arrangements and live events.

You can also find resources and information to:

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