EXCLUSIVE: 99 per cent of music teachers want NPME draft consultation, survey reveals

Almost every music teacher who took part in the Incorporated Society of Musicians’ recent survey thinks that they should be consulted on the draft NPME before it’s finalised.

The ISM surveyed more than 500 music teachers between November 2021 and January 2022, and intend to publish the full results in the coming months. 

Respondents were asked to share their views on the imminent refreshed National Plan for Music Education, including the government’s call for evidence and subsequent report, which is being used by the advisory panel in the development of the plan. 

Concerns about the panel have previously been raised by the ISM and others who feel that a wider consultation of the workforce is necessary ahead of publication. 

'Not aware' of call for evidence 

Further findings from the ISM’s recent survey reveal that 59 per cent of respondents had not responded to the initial call for evidence (February 2020), with 55 per cent of those providing a reason saying that they were not aware of it. 

Less than half had not read the government’s report on the call for evidence, with 60 per cent of these saying that they did not believe it was an accurate reflection of what is currently happening to music in the maintained sector. 

The government’s call for evidence received 5,191 responses and 47 per cent of those answering this question believed that music education is not available to all children and the quality could be better. 

The publication of the refreshed National Plan is due any time, and there has been no evidence to suggest that the government will release a draft before finalising the document. 

Opportunity to 'listen to teachers'

Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the ISM, said: ‘We’re really grateful to the music education community for taking part in the ISM’s survey. We’re still analysing the results, but they are already reinforcing how passionate music teachers are about what they do and how to make music education better in our schools. 

‘The refreshed National Plan for Music Education is a great opportunity for [the] government to reverse the decline of music education in our schools and listen to teachers who really do know how to improve matters. 

‘We hope the Department for Education now commits to a meaningful consultation with music teachers on the draft refreshed National Plan for Music Education to make sure it is the best it can be. We must grasp this opportunity and make sure that all children in our schools have access to a great music education.’

She added: ‘We will be publishing our research findings through reports in the coming months, which we hope will be informative to the sector and decision makers alike.’

As of December 2021, the NPME advisory panel had met on three occasions.