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.
Managing Standstill Grants: An Unsustainable Expectation
We published a blog written by Gary Griffiths, Music Mark’s Music Hub support consultant, explaining the impact of standstill funding in England.
A Response to the Institute of Fiscal Studies Report
We responded to a report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) about the financial value of higher education qualifications and provided a more balanced perspective on career choices, particularly where music is concerned.
Music Hubs Funding Cuts: Music Mark Responds
Our letter to the Secretary of State outlines our concerns and asks for an urgent review of funding levels and immediate confirmation of funding beyond August 2027 in line with the timeframe published as part of the Music Hub investment process.
Speaking Up for Music Education at the All-Party Parliamentary Group
Music Mark CEO, Bridget Whyte, was invited by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Music Education secretariat, the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), to speak at the APPG meeting on 8th June and provide an update on the music hub network.
SEND Consultation: Young Peoples’ Views
To ensure that our response to the SEND Consultation represented the views of young people, we gathered responses from 11 young disabled musicians from Drake Music’s Future Leaders programme and the National Open Youth Orchestra. Their thoughts are insightful and valuable in helping us ensure ‘every child is achieving and thriving’ in music education. We provided a summary of the insights gained from the young people.
Championing University Music Toolkit
Over the past decade, UK university music departments have faced significant challenges, reflecting wider pressures across the arts and humanities. To help address these challenges, Music Mark and the Musicians’ Union collaborated to produce a practical toolkit to support departments during periods of uncertainty.
Supporting Response to the Key Stage 4 Performance Measures Consultation
The government’s key stage 4 performance measures and targeted RISE extension consultation sought views on proposals to improve key stage 4 academic performance measures and to extend school improvement support from the Department for Education’s targeted regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) service. We put together a resource to provide help with completing the consultation.
Questions in the SEND Reform Consultation
To help with responses to the SEND Reform Consultation, we provided a list of questions in the consultation organised by the type of person they may be relevant to.
The National Centre – Funding and Ambition Gap
We raised concerns about the gap between ambition and funding for the new National Centre for Arts and Music Education.
An Update on Sustainability at Music Mark
An update on how we’re doing with assessing and reducing our carbon emissions.
How to Inspire Children with Sustainable Music
As part of our ‘This Is Not A Rehearsal’ campaign, we shared a case study from Waltham Forest Music Service and Southampton and Isle of Wight Music demonstrating some of the different approaches music organisations can take to embed sustainability into their work.
Securing Welsh Music Education
We worked with our membership to create a set of priorities for music education that we believe the next Welsh Senedd should commit to.
