New opportunity for HLOs

During my final weeks at Sound Connections last September, after over 14 years as director, I was asked to write a farewell article for their newsletter, reflecting on my time there and recent changes across the music education landscape. In it, I stated that a key focus in the new National Plan for Music Education in England included the restructuring of music hubs down to 43 larger, regional hubs. While this shift has faced criticism, I see this as an opportunity to reimagine equity, diversity, and inclusion in music education.

The consolidation of music hubs into 43 regions, each managed by a Hub Lead Organisation (HLO), began in September 2024. Arts Council England's choice to adopt a sub-regional model rather than a more local structure has sparked debate. Critics, including the ISM, argue that the decision lacked a thorough evaluation to confirm its effectiveness. A report in MT July 2024 highlighted similar concerns raised before the House of Commons Education Committee, questioning the rationale behind the restructure and whether larger regions will truly benefit smaller or disadvantaged communities.