The Power of Music to Change Lives  |  #powerofmusic  |  Read our press release here

About the NATIONAL PLAN

The Power of Music to Change Lives: A National Plan for Music Education (NPME) builds on the original 2011 plan ‘responding to the change of the past 11 years and recognising that more needs to be done to support teachers, leaders, schools, trusts and Hubs to deliver the best for children and young people’.

There is clear recognition of the importance of schools in providing music opportunities in and out of the classroom, and identifies these key common features of high-quality music provision in schools. The DfE would like to see offered in every school:

  • Timetabled curriculum of at least one hour each week of the school year for key stages 1-3
  • Access to lessons across a range of instruments, and voice
  • A school choir and/or vocal ensemble
  • A school ensemble/band/group
  • Space for rehearsals and individual practice
  • A termly school performance
  • Opportunity to enjoy live performance at least once a year
Download our summary of the NPME

Vision of the NPME:

To enable all children and young people to learn to sing, play an instrument and create music together, and have the opportunity to progress their musical interests, including professionally.

Goals of the NPME:

1. All children and young people receive a high-quality music education in the early years and in schools

2. All music educators work in partnership, with children and young people’s needs and interests at their heart

3. All children and young people with musical interests and talents have the opportunity to progress, including professionally

(National Plan for Music Education, 2022 – DfE)

SELF EVALUATION TOOL for SCHOOLS

This self-evaluation tool is designed to be used by primary and secondary teachers, and school leaders, as they review their own provision, identify areas for development and celebrate excellent work. The aim of this tool is to support these teachers in their valuable work, so that children and young people get the best possible music education, harnessing the power of music to change lives.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS: Download here
SECONDARY SCHOOLS: Download here

NPME RESOURCES

Parents Guide

DFE website resources
DFE music in schools advice

Hubs Guide

Arts Council HERE
Music Mark HERE

Poster – Primary

Poster – Secondary

NPME EVENTS & PLAYBACK

National Plan for Music Education: June 2023

In this latest webinar, Catherine Barker looks at creating development plans ahead of September.

Secondary Schools

National Plan for Music Education: Secondary Schools
Watch the recording of our event from July as an MTA panel discusses the National Plan for Music Education and what it means for Secondary Schools.

Watch the recording of our event from 26 September as Catherine Barker discusses what’s next for Secondary Schools and how to implement the self evaluation tools.

Primary Schools

National Plan for Music Education: Primary Schools
Watch the recording of our event from July as an MTA panel discusses the National Plan for Music Education and what it means for Primary Schools.

Watch the recording of our event from 27 September as Catherine Barker discusses what’s next for Primary Schools and how to implement the self evaluation tools.

The Music Teachers’ Association is the largest and longest established association of music teachers in the UK, supporting all who are connected with a school music department.

Join us here.