What does Ofsted Expect from Music in Schools?

Reflections on the Ofsted Update – Autumn 2026

On Tuesday 6th October, Music Mark, in partnership with MTA and ISM, welcomed HMI Christopher Stevens to present an Ofsted update on inspection and music in schools. We are pleased to be able to bring information to teachers and educators direct from Ofsted, particularly during a time of change in policy for education. As always, a recording of the presentation will be available on the Music Mark website, alongside the archive of previous presentations.

Taking place just one day after the launch of Music Mark’s ‘Be the Inspiration’ campaign, the Q&A section gave teachers the opportunity to raise questions and hear responses on a variety of themes, including; the impact of school leadership, the musical culture of a school, and enabling access and inclusion.

Amidst a period of plentiful publications for the education sector (curriculum and assessment review, schools white paper ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ and the enrichment framework) it was reassuring to hear that all of the Ofsted presentations and messages shared with Music Mark to date still have validity, and that the underpinning research reports should still be referred to. For those less familiar with Striking the Right Note: the music subject report, published in 2023, Chris pulled out elements of this report that are helpful for schools to consider.

Leadership

Perhaps obvious, we heard that the decision making of leadership reinforces the strength of music provision, and safeguards burn-out of heroic teachers. Where music teachers are concerned that there isn’t sufficient time for music across an academic year the response was that leaders need to be able to justify their position on how progression is enabled.

Musical Culture

Setting a musical culture in a school has many linking parts: curriculum delivery, choirs, bands, ensembles, peripatetic tutors (visiting specialist instrumental or vocal tutors, whole class or 1:1) and performances. What sets leadership apart is where there is recognition of the additional layers of responsibility on teachers and time is allocated to protect their workload to bring all these elements together. During inspection, one Music Lead shared that they perceived the choir as an extension of the music classroom, where skills can continue to develop.

Inclusion

As we work towards an equitable education, leaders need to be aware of the barriers that face students in being able to fully access music education, and to take steps to remove these barriers, both in and out of curriculum time.

Myth busting

• Ofsted inspectors do not require written assessment for music (however, they do understand that some school leaders may have whole school policies in place where this is an expectation for their own monitoring).
• Ofsted do not request to see music development plans; if they form part of a professional dialogue with inspectors, they may be useful to share. The Department for Education, however, do ask schools to publish a summary of the music development plan on the school website. See guidance here.
• Non-statutory guidance documents are still powerful and useful, often backed by research, documents such as the ‘The power of music to change lives: a national plan for music education’ and ‘Striking the Right Note: the music subject report’ are still relevant for music education

Your questions answered by Music Mark Schools Manager

You asked: Will Ofsted inspectors observe extra-curricular music activity as part of evidence gathering for the personal development evaluation area?  

What we can tell you: This could form part of the picture of the school. Inspectors, rather than looking at data of club attendance, should be looking at what makes up the musical culture of the school and how do leaders and teachers make musical progression possible for all children. 

You asked: About the new curriculum, for teaching from 2028.  

What we can tell you:  We are expecting the Department for Education to publish a draft national curriculum, expected Autumn 2026, which will be open to feedback for the duration of 12 weeks (standard consultation window).  

We know the drafting has been undertaken in response to the recommendations in the Curriculum & assessment Review report, so we expect to see changes in line with our summary here: Curriculum & Assessment Review: Music Mark Summary | Music Mark 

We will be hosting online ‘roundtable’ meetings where teachers can discuss the content of the curriculum before the consultation period ends. Sign up to our training & events newsletters so you do not miss these events once the curriculum consultation is published. 

You asked: About assessment: you wanted to know what Ofsted expect to see from pupils, teachers and leaders, and what evidence in music should be.   

What we can tell you: Whilst the messages on assessment were reiterated during the live session, we also have useful advice and guidance from Chris about assessment in music that has not changed.  

• What do Ofsted want from Music assessment | Music Mark
• Reflections on the Ofsted Update – Issue 2 | Music Mark – Assessment focus
• For more on assessment see this video from 19 minutes, particularly:
  • 25:30mins for assessment in Early Years
  • 23:00mins example of assessment in a SEND setting

You asked: What is the role of a music lead now there are no deep dives?  

What we can tell you: As with any subject leader, your role is: to understand your curriculum. How it is delivered? What is the confidence and capability of the teachers to deliver the curriculum? Is it inclusive for all? Is it suitably broad with progression built in? How does assessment help you to test the effectiveness of the curriculum. How is this all monitored so that other leaders, governors, students and parents know individual progress is being made?

The new curriculum is imminent. As a subject leader, be ready to look at this and reflect how your staff can meet the national expectations and plan for what needs to be put in place. Remember that there are many supporting organisations here to help; there is already a network of Music Hubs across England. Within these hub partnerships are music services and leading schools ready to support the implementation of the new curriculum. Additionally, for CPD there are national offers such as OAK national academy, the recently announced National Centre for the arts and music education, as well as a host of organisations and programmes that can support schools, see our list of industry partners.