- Removing fees boosts school instrument uptake
The number of students learning an instrument has increased by
almost 30,000 since the abolition of fees for music lessons in
schools.
A new report shows that annual investment of up to £12 million
from the Scottish Government to fund free instrumental music
tuition has seen participants increase to more than 70,000 since
2021.
Those involved in Scotland's Instrumental Music Service believed
playing a musical instrument supported better attendance,
attainment and behaviour in schools.
The We Make Music Now research findings highlights:
- an increase in instrumental music learners from 41,594 in
2020-21 to 70,075 in 2024-25 around 10.1% of the eligible school
roll
- highest participation between Primary 5 and S1 pupils in many
areas, often attributed to large-scale music-making projects
- playing an instrument helped young people with social anxiety
and other mental health challenges
- music departments are viewed as a safe space by learners,
where they feel supported within school
The Scottish Government funds Grant Aided Schools and all 32
local authorities to support free instrument tuition. The report
identified some challenges, including waiting lists in certain
local authority areas, lower representation from more deprived
areas and fewer performance opportunities for young musicians in
rural areas.
Education and Culture Secretary Màiri McAllan said:
The Scottish Government has transformed instrumental music
tuition in Scotland's schools by funding councils to eradicate
unfair charges. All children should have the opportunity to take
part in instrumental music as a core element of education,
without being limited by a family's ability to pay.
This report reveals the wide-ranging benefits of providing
opportunities to all not only in developing new skills but in
growing confidence, supporting mental health and creating a sense
of belonging.
We will continue to work with COSLA and the music education
sector to ensure an inclusive approach to music tuition that
addresses potential barriers to participation.
Chair of the Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG) Board Ian
Mills said:
The We Make Music Now research demonstrates the initial successes
of the commitment made to ensure the provision of free
instrumental music instruction in schools.
As well as the successes, there are undoubted challenges and
areas for growth raised in the work.
MEPG looks forward to supporting local authority music services
and the Scottish Government in considering the recommendations
made in the report to ensure that pupils are gaining maximum
benefit from the government's investment in music.
Background
The We Make Music Now report was
part-funded by the Scottish Government and conducted by MEPG
between March 2024 and June 2025. It included feedback from 485
participants including learners, parents, instructors and
headteachers.
In addition to funding provided for the Instrumental Music
Service, the Scottish Government's wide-ranging investment and
support for music education in schools and in the community
includes long-standing investment of over £175 million since 2007
in the Youth Music Initiative which has helped young people
across Scotland access music making opportunities and develop
their wider skills and learning. Investment in four national
centres for excellence for music allows pupils to receive expert
tuition in their specialism alongside their peers while accessing
the full school curriculum.
Support has also been provided to Sistema Scotland since
2012 to deliver its Big Noise projects, which offer children and
young people access to music making opportunities.
