19.06.2023: UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has joined a new monitoring board of experts to oversee the National Plan for Music Education (NPME). 

The Government established the board that will oversee the implementation of the plan, which was published last year.  You can read more about the plan here.

The role of the board will be to oversee progress on the delivery of the plan and to establish an impact framework.

Baroness Fleet CBE (Veronica Wadley), who was the chair of the panel for the plan, will chair the Board.

The new music education monitoring board consists of over 10 panel members, ranging from teachers to music industry representatives.

Last year, the Government set out its national plan for music education, which will run to 2030, with its aim of ensuring all young people have access to music education.

As part of the plan, starting in September 2023, schools are being asked to teach music for at least an hour a week as part of their music development plan, supported by our national network of music hubs.

From September 2024, music hubs will get £25 million to fund a wide variety of instruments for children and young people, to be played in and out of school, including adapted instruments for those with special educational needs and disabilities.

The panel of experts is due to have its first meeting later in June, with further plans for termly meetings.

Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said:

“Music education is vital, both to the future of the music industry and also to the broader development and enrichment of children and young people, whatever they go on to do in life.

“It’s vital that we ensure every young person has access to a high quality music education. The NPME offers a great foundation for this – now the mission is to implement the plan and embed it across the country.

“I look forward to being part of the monitoring board to oversee delivery of the National Plan, and helping ensure that all young people have access to the extraordinary power of music.”

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:

“Every pupil should have the opportunity to be taught a high-quality music curriculum, introducing them to the world’s best music and ensuring they are taught to read and write musical notation.

“Music offers an enriching experience which is why we want all schools to teach a fulfilling music curriculum. The new board, chaired by Baroness Fleet, will help our schools deliver this by guiding the implementation of the National Plan for Music Education.”

Baroness Fleet said:

“I am delighted to be chairing the monitoring board, continuing the work we started in 2021. It is so important to do all we can to ensure that high quality music is embedded in schools and accessible to young people from all backgrounds.

“This is vital for the pipeline of talent and for the future of our great orchestras, the music industry and the wider creative industries.”