Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Covid-19: Music Education

08 December 2020 · 2 other contributors · 4,309 words

Opened by Andrew Lewer Con Northampton South

Responding minister: Michelle Donelan

Education

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Andrew Lewer raised concerns about covid-19: music education in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Mr. Andrew Lewer is concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on music education in UK schools.
  • Over ten percent of primary and secondary schools do not teach class music despite it being a requirement in the curriculum.
  • Mr. Lewer asks the government to consider an uplift in funding for music education to at least 2011 levels to address additional costs due to current restrictions.

Key requests to Government

Mr. Lewer asks the government to consider an uplift in funding for music education back to parity with at least 2011 levels, given the additional costs incurred due to current restrictions. He also requests clarity on national music grant funding from March 2021 and a reminder of schools' obligations under the Education Act 2002 and Academies Act 2010 to provide a broad and balanced curriculum including music.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Andrew Lewer Con Northampton South

Mr. Andrew Lewer is concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on music education, highlighting that over ten per cent of primary and secondary schools do not teach class music despite it being a requirement in the curriculum. He mentions that due to lack of access to technology and resources needed for adaptation during school closures, many children were denied music lessons. Additionally, he notes that extracurricular activities are no longer taking place in 72% of primary schools and 66% of secondary schools this year, which is partly due to guidance delays from the Government on singing and playing woodwind and brass instruments.

Other contributors (2)
  • Jane Stevenson Lab Wolverhampton North East

    As a former professional classical singer and peripatetic teacher, Jane Stevenson highlighted the importance of music for building children's confidence and supporting other academic subjects. She asked the Minister for a date on which a revised national plan will be published and for reassurance regarding the mental health impact on students due to interrupted learning progress. Ms. Jane Stevenson highlighted the national plan for music education, which was first published in 2011 to establish music education hubs providing opportunities to sing and learn instruments in addition to classroom music.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The hon. Member thanked the lead MP for bringing the matter to Westminster Hall and expressed concern that music education is at greater risk now than ever before, urging the Government to step in to ensure music's positive benefits continue across schools.

Government Response

Michelle Donelan

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South on securing this debate on such an important topic. The Government remain committed to music education during this challenging time, stressing its importance in building creative skills, health and wellbeing. Music is a statutory subject from age five to 14, with maintained schools having an entitlement to study at least one arts subject in key stage 4. Since 2016-2020, the Department for Education invested nearly £500 million on music and arts education programmes, including £300 million for music education hubs serving around 90% of state schools. The Government have announced an additional £80 million investment in music education hubs for the financial year 2020-21 to ensure high-quality music education access for all children. The Department works closely with DCMS, co-funding a wide range of national music programmes for young people led by the Arts Council, providing a total of £3 million in the financial year 2020-21. Teachers and leaders have adapted their support to allow children and young people to engage remotely in music making, overcoming logistical and technical challenges. The Government have provided guidance on music education during the pandemic, including social distancing and additional safeguards for singing and playing wind or brass instruments. Music education hubs were eligible to apply for the Government's £1.57 billion cultural recovery fund, with 12 music education hubs securing a total of more than £3.5 million in additional funding.

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