SMAG Vic: UK Research

Music Education in England - A Review

Darren Henley, Department for Education and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Feb 2011

Many children in England benefit from excellent music teaching from excellent teachers. In some parts of the country, the opportunities for children to take part in musical activities are immense. However, some children in England do not currently receive an adequate, let alone good, Music Education.

This Review lays down recommendations for minimum expectations of what any child going through the English school system should receive in terms of an education in music.

It also outlines a national plan, which describes the expectations of how Music Education should develop over the coming years - this section of recommendations is designed to ensure that patchiness is replaced by consistency, so that children are able to enjoy the same level of Music Education, no matter where in England they happen to live.

Read reactions from:

UK Government: http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-00012-2011

Music Education Council: http://www.mec.org.uk/news/2011/2/8/mec-press-release.html

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music: http://www.abrsm.org/?page=press/pressReleases/item.html&id=718

National Campaign for the Arts: http://www.artscampaign.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=404%3Adarren-henleys-music-education-review-released&Itemid=97

Cultural Learning Alliance: http://www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/uncategorized/the-henley-review-is-published

Youth Music: http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/news/Youth-Music-response-to-the-Henley-review.html

Arts Council: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/we-respond-darren-henleys-review-music-education/

Music Teacher Magazine: http://mteditor.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/henley-the-dust-settles/

Music Industries Association: http://www.thecmuwebsite.com/article/mia-welcomes-gove%E2%80%99s-music-education-commitment/

The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/tomserviceblog/2011/feb/07/henley-report-music-education

BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12381650