How to develop an outstanding music provision

Understand what the government expects of you as part of its national plan for music education. Know what you should do to create a music development plan, and how to work with your music hub and improve your music curriculum.

Last reviewed on 22 May 2024See updates
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Contents
  1. Understand your responsibilities
  2. First, create a music development plan
  3. Then, develop a strong music curriculum 
  4. Next, provide opportunities outside the formal curriculum
  5. Work with your local music hub
  6. Create a music policy to share what you're doing with parents and carers
  7. See what other schools have done to improve their music provision
  8. Have a look at the music resources available to you

This article is based on the government’s policy paper, The power of music to change lives: a national plan for music education. This isn't statutory guidance, but it explains what the government wants schools to achieve.

Understand your responsibilities

Once you know what you’re expected to provide, work your way through the rest of this article to help you achieve it.

You should:

  • Work with your local music hub – see how later in this article
  • Have a music development plan that captures your high-quality curriculum, co-curricular and enrichment offer, and sets out how it will be staffed and funded – you should publish this on your website. The DfE has created a template you can adapt and use
  • Make sure music education is accessible to all pupils

First, create a music development plan

If you don't have one yet, you can still make