With the recent announcement that schools are expected to publish a summary of their music development plans on their websites from the academic year 2024 to 2025, it’s more important than ever for schools to develop comprehensive and effective music development plans. This expectation is part of the government’s effort to ensure transparency and enhance the quality of music education in schools.

In the National Plan for Music Education (NPME) released in 2022, schools were advised to create music development plans to capture both curricular and co-curricular offerings and outline staffing and funding. Publishing these plans can help families understand the benefits of music education at your school. There are workshops available to music educators to further assist with support in this area which are detailed at the bottom.

To help you get started, here are some top tips for creating a robust music development plan:

1. Understand the Rationale

Before diving into the creation of your plan, it’s essential to understand the rationale behind the NPME. The main goal is to provide a clear, accessible overview of the music education your school offers. This includes both in-class and extracurricular activities. Familiarise yourself with the NPME’s key features to ensure your plan aligns with national expectations.

2. Engage Stakeholders

Involve key stakeholders in the development process, including teachers, students, parents, and local music education organisations like ourselves. Collaboration ensures that the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of the school community and garners broader support.

3. Outline Your Current Offerings

Start by documenting your current music curriculum and extracurricular activities. This should include the frequency and duration of music lessons, the content covered, and any additional music opportunities available to students, such as school bands, choirs, or partnerships with local music hubs.

4. Identify Areas for Improvement

Assess your current music education provision to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Use feedback from students and parents, as well as performance data, to inform this assessment. Consider whether you meet the government’s expectations, such as providing at least one hour of classroom music per week for key stage 1, 2 & 3 pupils.

5. Set Clear Goals

Based on your assessment, set clear, achievable goals for improving music education at your school. These goals should address both curricular and co-curricular areas and should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

6. Plan for Staffing and Funding

Detail how your music education programs will be staffed and funded. This includes identifying any additional training or resources your staff may need and considering how to allocate budget effectively. Collaborate with your local music hub and other organizations to explore funding opportunities and support.

7. Develop an Action Plan

Create a detailed action plan that outlines the steps needed to achieve your goals. This plan should include timelines, responsibilities, and milestones to track progress. Ensure that this plan is flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances and feedback.

8. Communicate the Plan

Once your plan is developed, communicate it effectively to your school community. This includes publishing a summary on your school website, as recommended by the government, to help parents and carers understand the music education provision and planned improvements.

9. Monitor and Review

Regularly monitor the implementation of your plan and review progress against your goals. Use our CPD session as a way to get feedback on your development plans and ensure you are confident before posting on your website.

10. Join Our CPD Session

For more detailed guidance on creating a music development plan, join our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session on June 11th from 4 to 6 pm. This session will guide you through the process, helping you to:

• Review the rationale behind the NPME
• Consider the key features set out in the National Plan
• Coordinate areas for development into an actionable plan

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and support in developing a comprehensive music development plan for your school. Register now and take the first step towards enhancing your school’s music education program.

By following these tips, you can create a music development plan that not only meets government expectations but also enriches the musical experiences and education of your students.

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