Advocacy
Music Mark is always busy behind the scenes, advocating on your behalf. Use our timeline to explore what we’ve been up to recently, what we’re currently focusing on and where we’ve been successful.
Music Mark Annual Review 2024/25
In our annual review for the academic year 2024/25 we looked back on what we have been doing over the past academic year for our members and the wider music education sector, as well as how we plan to continue to support, connect, and influence in future.
Curriculum & Assessment Review: Music Mark Summary
Music Mark was proud to have worked to inform the Curriculum and Assessment Review. We provided a summary of the recommendations for music.
Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper
Following the publication of a white paper on post-16 education and skills, we made a satement noting our concern about the proposed introduction of an international levy to fund an increase in maintenance grants and the lack of clarity with regards to the financial security of higher education institutions.
A Letter to the Secretary of State for Education
The three music subject associations, Music Mark, the Independent Society of Musicians, and the Music Teachers’ Association, wrote to the Secretary of State for Education to challenge the decision to withdraw the bursary available to study to become a music teacher in England.
A Statement on the Cutting of the Initial Teacher Training Bursary for Music
We released a statement on the Government’s decision to withdraw the provision of a bursary payment for those training to be a music teacher from the 2026/27 academic year.
The Labour Party Conference
Our attendance at the Labour Conference allowed us to talk to MPs and Peers; to share information about the work of the music education ecology, tell inspirational stories of activity and outline the challenges facing the sector.
Reframing Advocacy for Music Education
As part of The Secondary Music Teaching Series, we held a webinar on how to best advocate for music education to a secondary school senior leadership team. A recording is available for Members to watch back.
Connecting Parliamentarians with their Local Music Hubs
Over 40 Music Hub Leaders descended on parliament at the invitation of Anna Sabine MP. Supported by Music Mark, the ISM, Trinity College London and Future Talent, the event took place in the Churchill Suite in the houses of parliament. Over the course of two hours, hub leaders were introduced to MPs and Peers from their area who dropped in between meetings and other commitments.
Cultural and Creative Industries at Labour Party Conference 2025
We announced that Music Mark CEO, Bridget Whyte, will be speaking at the Labour Party Conference in 2025 to advocate for music education alongside over 35 organisations representing the creative and cultural industries.
Equitable Access to Music Education: A Letter to the Department for Education
We wrote a letter to the Department for Education about the standstill national funding announced for the Music Hub programme in England, and to share the challenges this poses for some local areas in which this has caused a decrease in funding.
Advocating for Higher Education
We explained our approach to advocating for university music departments and our intention to work with our Higher Education members to help them celebrate the positive impact music qualifications have on the wider success of their universities.
The National Centre for Arts and Music Education Resource Collection
We created a resource bank holding more information about the progress of The National Centre for Arts and Music Education. Information is included to explain how Music Mark responded and how it supported its membership.
