As more and more universities make cuts to arts courses it was refreshing to read the government’s updated National Plan for Music Education (NPME) earlier this week, renewing focus on improving music provision in schools.

The current quality and extent of music education in UK state schools varies wildly but the revised NPME aims to ensure that every child in the country will have equitable access to high-quality music education by 2030.

Many may ask why, when schools are under pressure to help children catch up on two years of disrupted education, should we champion music? Music provides a crucial outlet for creativity and emotional expression which, our children need now, more than ever. It also provides well documented, ancillary benefits such as confidence, performance skills, team working, focus and discipline. When I think back to my own primary school days in Stoke on Trent, I can see how, as a boy not that interested in sport, music was in many ways my salvation. I was no Louis Armstrong, but my trumpet lessons, orchestra rehearsals and performances helped shape skills and confidence which have served me for life.

The irony is that the children who might benefit most from such life-lessons are often those who can least afford private music lessons. But with digital music breaking down traditional barriers and the NMPE commitment to invest £25m in instruments and technology, there is hope that excellent music education will be available, in all its many and varied forms, to every child in every school, no matter the postcode.

To bring this commitment to life and in doing so give every child in school the opportunity to make music a part of their normal school day, we will need an army of inspiring diverse and appropriately qualified music teachers to teach them. The UK has an abundance of passionate, talented, hard-working music teachers but these specialists have not, in many cases, been given the support and training to effectively and inclusively teach in group settings like schools to teach effectively in group settings like schools. As you may know Music Masters has pioneered a hugely successful method of teaching instruments in groups in primary schools and distilled it into their ‘Musicians of Change PGCEi’ Level 7 qualification, co-delivered and accredited by Birmingham City University. The course not only supports instrumental music teachers to develop the skills, approaches and mindset to deliver highly effective group teaching, but also gives them a network of peers with whom to share good practice and support. I am extremely proud to say that this course creates genuine changemakers: teachers who are empowered to raise the standard and impact of music education in their schools and organisations. This is crucial if the NPME’s ambition is to be delivered and at Music Masters we want to play our part in making that happen.

It is of course in the government’s interest to invest in music education – our music industry contributes approximately £6bn to the UK economy and directly provides over 200,000 jobs. We are over-achievers on the global music scene but, without comprehensive access to music education for the next generation, that industry will not only be short on recruits but lacking in the richness that diversity brings.

Upskilling our music teachers might be only one part of the solution to the challenge of improving access to a good music education in the UK but it is one that we can do relatively easily and one we can do now. The more we inspire, connect and value music teachers, the stronger the quality of provision can be for our children and future generations. The refreshed NPME promises great strides in ensuring that every child, in every area of the country has equal access to a high quality and sustained music education but to make this a reality a commitment to, and a commitment from, teachers is vital. At Music Masters we are excited about the opportunity ahead, but more importantly, and with your support, we are ready to help and make a difference to the provision of music education and by extension the lives of future generations.

Simon Freakley
Chair of Trustees, Music Masters