New investment in sport and music education

The government has announced its intention to improve children’s opportunities in sports and music

A multi-million-pound investment will give children further support in finding and developing their passions through increased opportunities to study music, learn instruments and take up sports and activities.

The announcement made by the government in June builds on the pledge in the School’s White Paper to provide all children with an enriching school curriculum, helping to level up their opportunities as well as their educational outcomes.

As part of this, tens of thousands of pupils will be given the chance to learn a musical instrument, thanks to new capital funding worth £25m for schools to purchase musical instruments and equipment.

This will include adapted instruments for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) so that every pupil will have the opportunity to develop a love for music.

Schools will also be asked to offer at least 1 hour of music curriculum a week as part of the launch of a new National Plan for Music Education. Music has been shown to not only support children to develop their creativity but also their cognitive development, which is why a further £79m will also be made available every year until 2025 for the Music Hubs programme.

Further opportunities for pupils to get active and stay healthy will also become available through PE and Sport Premium. £320m will be delivered to schools in 2022 and 2023 to give more children access to high-quality PE lessons and sporting opportunities, supporting both their physical and mental wellbeing.

£11m will also support the continuation of the School Games programme to give particularly passionate and talented young people the opportunity to participate in competitive sports.

Chancellor of the exchequer and former education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi said “I want every child to have the opportunity to develop a love of music and sport, so they can explore their passions and fulfil their potential.

“These opportunities will give thousands more pupils access to an ambitious, enriching curriculum that not only supports them academically but also supports their physical and mental wellbeing”.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries commented “Every young person has the potential to succeed.

“We want to make sure every child, regardless of where they grow up or where they go to school, has the tools they need to achieve their ambitions.

“As part of the updated guidance in the National Plan for Music Education, every school will be expected to have a designated music lead or head of department.