Matt Daniels, CEO, Sound It Out

The launch of a National Plan for Music Education is a significant indication of the government’s understanding of the power of music to engage and transform our children and young people’s lives.  This plan sets out a radical restructuring of how resources will be used and activity is to be developed, placing the importance of partnership working with the wider music education sector through music education hubs at the heart of development and delivery, and I welcome this.

The NPME places emphasis on the provision of a continuum of experience, education and learning both in and out of school, which is essential to the development of our children and young people alongside a strong emphasis on workforce development and training. This, I also strongly welcome.

The mixed economy of partnership detailed within the plan shows a trust and commitment to a much wider level of engagement across the music education sector and a faith that voluntary sector organisations such as Sound It Out will play a significant role alongside Local Authorities and national development agencies. This plan harnesses new and innovative ways of working in challenging economic times with a more level playing field between a range of partners to offer a comprehensive, diverse, quality offer to our children and young people. It’s a good start!