New music education report State of the Nation released
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Report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Music Education,
University of Sussex and the Incorporated Society of Musicians
(ISM). Report draws together significant research from University
of Sussex, BBC, UCL/NUT, ASCL, and ISM. Led by Dr Alison Daubney,
PhD Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Sussex and Mr Gary
Spruce, Visiting Lecturer in Music Education, Birmingham City
University, the report is an important piece of research for all
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The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Music Education, in partnership with the University of Sussex and the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), will today (Monday 4 February) release a new report entitled Music Education: State of the Nation which outlines the broad landscape of music education in England. The new report, authored by Dr Alison Daubney (University of Sussex), Gary Spruce (Birmingham City University) and Deborah Annetts (ISM) with foreword from Diana Johnson MP and Andrew Percy MP, is the culmination of several months rigorous research into both music education and the broader education landscape in England. Digging deep into the government’s own figures whilst also bringing together academic research, surveys and analysis of current trends, State of the Nation asks serious questions regarding the direction of travel of current education policy. Of the report, APPG for Music Education co-chairs Diana Johnson MP and Andrew Percy MP said: ‘This report shows the scale of the crisis facing music education in England. It shows how Government policy around accountability measures and the curriculum has contributed to a sharp decline in opportunities for pupils to have access to a music education. Its recommendations show the breadth of the problem – but also how easily the Government could act to address some of the most pressing issues, at little or no financial cost.’ Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians said: ‘This is an important report which we hope will guide policy makers in music education and also broader education policy. This report shines a spotlight on just how much the EBacc has already destroyed in terms of our children’s education. Notwithstanding the Government’s target of EBacc take up 75% rising to 90% by 2025, the rate of take up remains obstinately at 38%. And only 17% of students will actually attain the EBacc. And yet, never has there been a time when creative subjects in school has been more necessary. We are facing the fourth industrial revolution where creativity is vital. Music contributes £4.5bn a year to the UK’s economy whilst the creative industries is worth £101.5 billion. Reinforcing the gravity of the situation is Brexit. As a country we will need to deploy our soft skills more than ever and this means music and our other stand out creative industries. We need an education system which is up to these challenges. Headline accountability measures such as the EBacc, which are based on the 1904 Secondary Regulations, are not it. We call on the Secretary of State, Damien Hinds to take a fresh look at the EBacc, the trail of devastation it has caused and take action.’ Dr Alison Daubney, PhD Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Sussex and Mr Gary Spruce, Visiting Lecturer in Music Education, Birmingham City University said:
‘The wealth of data upon which this report is founded
highlights urgent issues which need to be addressed.
Increasingly, music is marginalised in the school curriculum as
the focus on accountability measures force them to make decisions
which erode access to music education and diminish the workforce.
In doing so, the evidence shows that music in the wider school
and young people's lives beyond school is also negatively
impacted. It is time the Department for Education recognise
their policies are failing and they must take the necessary steps
to ensure that sustained high quality music education for all is
a reality and not, as is currently the case, increasingly the
preserve of those families that can afford to pay for
it.’ Notes for editors About The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) acts as the secretariat to the Music Education APPG. This is not an official publication of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in this report are those of the group, the ISM and the University of Sussex. About the authors This report was written by Dr Alison Daubney (PhD Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Sussex), Gary Spruce (Visiting Lecturer in Music Education, Birmingham City University) and Deborah Annetts (Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians). Dr Alison Daubney, PhD Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Sussex Dr Ally Daubney is a qualified and experienced music teacher, trainer and researcher and has taught all stages from pre-school to postgraduate. She has carried out research funded by many organisations including Youth Music, Sing Up, The Teacher Development Agency, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Socrates Comenius (EU), QCA, Arts Council England, and the University of Cambridge. Ally has worked on international arts curriculum and assessment development with the University of Cambridge International Examinations since 2009. She has presented her work and research extensively in the UK and internationally and is in demand as a workshop leader and speaker. Her book Teaching Primary Music was published by Sage in 2017 and she is currently co-editor of the British Journal of Music Education. Along with Professor Martin Fautley, Ally has co-developed well-respected resources to help teachers make sense of the National Curriculum for Music, produced by the Incorporated Society of Musicians. Ally was appointed to the Department for Education Expert Subject Advisory Groups for Music Education and for Assessment when these groups were set up in 2014. She is also a board member of her local music education hub Soundcity: Brighton and Hove. Gary Spruce. BMus, MA; MEd; PGCE; HonTCL; FRSA, Visiting Lecturer in Music Education, Birmingham City University Gary Spruce was a secondary school Head of Music in Birmingham for over fifteen years before joining The Open University as subject leader for their secondary music PGCE. The course was awarded an ‘Outstanding’ grade on three separate occasions. He is now visiting lecturer in education at Birmingham City University and an academic consultant for Trinity College, London. He has worked as an Ofsted inspector and GCSE and A Level examiner and is currently working with the European Schools organisation (part of the European Commission) as an examiner and curriculum consultant. Gary has published widely on music teacher education, curriculum music and music education and social justice. As a practising musician he is particularly involved in music for the theatre as performer, composer and arranger. He has a degree in music from London University and Masters Degrees in both music and education from the University of Birmingham. Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of Incorporated Society of Musicians Following a degree in PPE from Oxford University, Deborah Annetts trained as an employment lawyer and was a partner at both Stephens Innocent and Tarlo Lyons where she took some of the seminal cases in the field of industrial relations and discrimination. Since 2008 Deborah has been Chief Executive at the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), the professional association for musicians and subject association for music, growing its membership to over 9,000. Deborah launched the Bacc for the Future campaign in 2012 (baccforthefuture.com) and has campaigned throughout her time at the ISM for a broad and balanced curriculum which includes music in all our maintained schools. She has held the position of Chair of the Music Education Council and she is currently Chair of the Educational Recording Agency. In 2018, BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour selected her as one of the most influential women in the music industry in their Power List 2018.
About the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Music Education The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Music Education is a cross-party body of MPs and peers with a shared interest in music education.
The APPG exists to support parliamentarians engaging in
discussions relating to music education through early years,
primary, secondary, SEND, further and higher education, and
lifelong learning. It has a particular focus on Curriculum, the
National Plan for Music Education, challenges facing higher
education and progression into the creative and cultural
sector. The Chair and Registered contact of the APPG is Diana Johnson MP.
About the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) is the UK's professional body for musicians and a nationally recognised subject association for music. Since 1882, we have been dedicated to promoting the importance of music and protecting the rights of those working in the music profession. We support over 9,000 members across the UK and Ireland with our unrivalled legal advice and representation, comprehensive insurance and specialist services. Our members come from all areas of the music profession and from a wide variety of genres and musical backgrounds. As well as working musicians, our membership also includes recent graduates, part-time and full-time music students, and retired musicians. We campaign tirelessly in support of musicians’ rights, music education and the profession as a whole. We are a financially independent not-for-profit organisation with no political affiliation. This independence allows us the freedom to campaign on any issue affecting musicians.
About the University of Sussex The University of Sussex has challenged convention since its foundation in 1961. From the campus’ modernist architecture on the edge of a rural national park, to our progressive academics and creative professional services staff, to the inspiring students who choose to learn and live here, to the very tone of the institution and the nature of its conversations, through to the expressions of radicalism, critical thinking and, at times, dissent. The University of Sussex has a long tradition of experimentation and innovation that has made a real difference to the lives of many students, and those who benefit from our research and wider endeavours. Our research creates new agendas, contributes new knowledge and provides new ideas and solutions that are helping to shape the world. We challenge conventional thinking and discourses, offering inspiring and creative ways to understand and solve global issues. |