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<p>The government has a long standing commitment to ensure that high quality music
education is not the preserve of the wealthy, but the entitlement of every single
child, and that this is reflected in the government’s refreshed National plan for
music education, which was published in 2022. This plan sets out the department’s
strategy up to 2030 and its vision to enable all children and young people to learn
to sing, play an instrument and create music together, as well as to have the opportunity
to progress their musical interests and talents, including professionally.</p><p>
</p><p>As part of the plan, schools are expected to teach music for at least one hour
a week from Key Stages 1 to 3, to provide access to singing and instrument lessons
and to offer a range of music experiences, such as music events and trips to professional
concerts. The network of Music Hubs has a vital role to play in supporting schools
to deliver this. Working together, schools and Music Hubs can ensure children have
access to all the benefits of a wider musical education through instrumental lessons,
loans and ensembles, as well as offering clear and affordable progression routes and
continuing professional development to teachers around music.</p><p> </p><p>The government
values the many achievements that the existing Music Hub network has made since 2012,
including the work they now do with around 90% of all schools. This is why the department
has invested around £380 million of funding in Music Hubs between 2016 and 2021 to
ensure all children, whatever their background, have access to a high quality music
education. Since 2021, the department has continued to provide £79 million a year
for Music Hubs, on average around 40% of their income, with the remaining funding
coming mainly from parents and schools.</p><p> </p><p>Further to this, as part of
the plan published in 2022, the government announced a £25 million capital fund for
musical instruments, which will be distributed across all Music Hubs from September
2024. This will allow schools and Music Hubs to continue to work together to ensure
more children and young people have access to musical instruments, as well as access
to a high quality music education and to develop their musical interests and potential.</p>
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