This one day online conference focuses on the future for music education in England.

Stakeholders and policymakers will assess priorities and next steps following:
• the Government’s strategy outlined in The power of music to change lives: a national plan for music education
• the DfE’s implementation guidance for this year and announcement of support in What the national plan for music education means for children and young people.

It will be an opportunity to examine the key ambitions for all schools to provide a broad musical education, as well as the resources, frameworks and organisational changes that will be needed.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with Bridget Whyte, Chief Executive Officer, Music Mark; and Member, National Plan for Music Education Monitoring Board, Department for Education; and Dr Steven Berryman, President and Director of Creativity, Music and Culture, Kings College London.

Stakeholders will discuss the recommendations for agencies and schools to work together to improve access to music, and how this objective can be met, for example, by providing instruments for children to play and supporting teachers in running activities outside of school hours.

They will also assess post-16 routes, including progression into higher education, employment, and apprenticeships, looking at the role of universities, qualification providers, and employers in these pathways.

Further sessions look at:
• quality: improving standards across the music curriculum, including the role of regulation
• cooperation and coordination: developing a joined-up approach - exploring the role of Music Education Hubs so far - expanding partnerships with cultural institutions
• the workforce: music teacher training, recruitment and retention
• increasing participation: vocational music education study options - accessibility, including provision for disadvantaged groups such as pupil from deprived backgrounds or with leaning difficulties
• progression: pathways for music students beyond secondary school into higher education and creative industries
• wider impact: growing the role of music within social mobility for young people.