Education Secretary pledges £82.5m for music education

The Education Secretary will implement Darren Henley’s ideas on increasing access to music education, including

• getting more top music graduates and performers into teaching through Teach First
• producing a comprehensive national plan for music education that sets out how children of all ages and ability can receive the best possible music education
• moving to a national funding formula for allocating funding for music.

The Government will publish a national plan for music education later this year, taking forward Darren's work. This will set out the Government’s commitment to give all young people the best possible music education.

The Secretary of State has confirmed funding for music education for 2011-12 will be £82.5m – the same amount as went to local authorities in 2010-11. The Department will then work with music services throughout the next year to manage future budget pressures.

Darren Henley’s review>>