HC Deb 09 January 2003 vol 397 cc342-3W
Nick Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent research his Department has undertaken to assess the music literacy of children in schools; and if he will make a statement. [88679]

Mr. Miliband

The Department for Education and Skills has carried out no recent research into the music literacy of children in schools. However, the effectiveness of National Curriculum music continues to be monitored through teacher assessments at the end of Key Stage 3.

Last year, the Department conducted a national survey of instrumental lessons and other music activities provided by LEA Music Services. A summary of the results is available on the DfES website at www.dfes.gov.uk/musicservices

Nick Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage(a) teaching, (b) listening to and (c) participation in music in schools; and how much his Department has spent on music in schools in each year since 1997. [88680]

Mr. Miliband

Music is a statutory entitlement for all pupils up to the age of 14, and can be taken as an option at Key Stage 4.

My Department is strongly committed to music education and has a number of projects underway to encourage the teaching and learning of music in schools. For example, we have made a commitment, over time, to offer every primary school child the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. We have commissioned the QCA to produce new units for the music schemes of work to help teachers work more effectively with peripatetic music specialists and to develop their confidence and skills; and we are exploring best practice in music education through the inspection of LEA Music Services; through a network of advanced skills teachers for music; and through six pilot projects focusing primarily on instrumental tuition at Key Stage 2.

With regard to the amount spent on music in schools, it is for individual schools to use their budgets as they judge appropriate, in music as in other areas. Additional funds from this Department come primarily through the Music Standards Fund (MSF) and the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS). Since it was set up in 1999, this Department has provided around £125 million through the MSF for the protection and expansion of LEA Music Services; while the MDS has allocated just under £65 million to gifted and talented young musicians since 1997 through its Aided Pupil Scheme.