Future of music education

England

Music is a part of the national curriculum for England at Key Stages 1-3 (Ages 5-14). The national curriculum is required to be taught in all local authority-maintained schools. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill currently before parliament would require all academies and free schools to teach the national curriculum.

In March 2025, the government announced its intention to launch a National Centre for Arts and Music Education to “promote opportunities for children and young people to pursue their artistic and creative interests in school – including through the government’s network of music hubs.”

Music Education Hubs are coordinated by a lead organisation, which takes on responsibility for the funding and governance of the Hub. These organisations are funded through a ring-fenced grant from and on behalf of the Department for Education. Arts Council England has published a range of information on the hubs.

Under the previous Conservative government, a National Plan for Music Education was published in 2022.

Scotland

Expressive arts is a distinct area in the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. This area of the curriculum includes arts and design, dance, drama and music.

Each area of the curriculum is broken down into ‘experiences and outcomes’. The experiences and outcomes document for the expressive arts sets out the detail of the curriculum at different levels.

In 2021, the Scottish Government removed fees for instrumental tuition in Scotland.

Wales

Music is included in the Curriculum for Wales at Key Stages 2 and 3 (ages 7-14). The guidance on music in the national curriculum (pdf) is clear that students should have the opportunity to perform, compose, and appraise music at different levels, developing their skills from previous levels.

A National Plan for Music Education in Wales was published in 2022, which included a summary announcement of the measures. The National Music Service Wales website provides further information on the service’s work.

Shortly in advance of the publication of the National Plan, Senedd Research published an article titled What’s next for music education? National Music Service and the National Plan for Music Education which provides useful context for the Plan and how it was developed.

Northern Ireland

Music is a part of the school curriculum in Northern Ireland, under a broader Arts heading, from foundation stage to Key Stage 3 (ages 4-14).

Teaching develops through the foundation stage. In key stages 1 and 2, children “should actively engage with the core musical activities of composing, performing and listening,” to develop these skills and to “start to think and talk about characteristics within the music that they create, perform and listen to”. At key stage 3, pupils should develop their skills in expressing themselves through music, “critical thinking and skilful decision making” when composing and performing and “self-management” to work independently and improve their performance.

The full debate pack, available to download as a PDF using the buttons above and below this summary, provides further information on music in the curriculum, and a selection of parliamentary and press materials.