MU Responds to Government Curriculum Review

We highlighted unequal access to music education and the urgent need to reverse the marginalisation of arts subjects in schools under the last Government.

We must restore music and the arts to the heart of schools. Photo: Shutterstock.

The Government is running a Curriculum and Assessment Review, the first stage of which was an open call for evidence that closed on 22 November. The MU responded on behalf of members.

The call for evidence was only the first stage of the review, which will report its initial findings in early 2025, with a full report due later in 2025. The MU will continue to engage with the review to ensure that the Government delivers on its commitment that “the arts and music will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few”.

Outline of key points 

The MU’s response to the call for evidence included the following key points:

Sustained tuition on a musical instrument is now mostly only open to learners who can pay for additional lessons either in or out of school. This then affects who can progress to GCSE, A level and some higher education in music, and who can pursue some careers in music – creating a significant class ceiling. The previous Government’s National Plan for Music Education is uncosted, under-funded, non-statutory and lacking accountability, despite containing good recommendations. The new Government should address these issues to ensure that sustained high-quality music education, including instrumental tuition, is available for all. The EBacc, a school league table measure, has encouraged many schools to move away from offering arts subjects at GCSE. It should be scrapped, which would cost the Government nothing. The Government should draw on expertise from the music education sector to ensure that music education and qualifications can accommodate learners with different needs, and that a wide range of cultural practices are reflected and included in music education and qualifications. We must restore music and arts to the heart of schools

Chris Walters, MU National Organiser for Education, said:

“The last Government made many damaging and un-evidenced statements about the limited value of arts subjects, despite their huge value to the UK economy, intrinsic value, and contribution to the positive mental health and wellbeing of learners.

“We must restore music and the arts to the heart of schools and ensure that we have a well-supported workforce – across both classroom and instrumental teaching – to deliver music education to every child who wants to pursue it.”

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