Skip to content

Music Mark

We are a membership organisation, Subject Association, and an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) advocating for excellent musical learning in and out of school.

    In February 2024, Music Mark invited members to discuss the charity’s advocacy work and to help inform our political goals in a general election year.

    Find out more

    In 2024, Music Mark teamed up with MEHEM Uprising’s Ben Sellers to deliver a series of online events around inclusive music with a focus on SEND in various settings.

    Find out more

    Music Mark has announced the development of six calls to action which will be presented to all political parties ahead of the UK election this year. The purpose of the six calls to action is to make the case to any new UK government that it should prioritise music education, understand its value and appreciate the positive impact music can have on health, wellbeing, academic achievement, and soft skills.

    Find out more

    A recording of our Introduction to Fundraising training with Cause4, along with useful links on the subject.

    Find out more

    Digit Music has introduced a series of free digital music classroom packs, designed to ignite inspiration for young learners and build confidence for teachers.

    Find out more

    An introduction to AYM’s Identifying Musical Talent and Potential (ITP) training.

    Find out more

    Sam Stimpson and Rhiannon Diamond highlight inequities in Music Education, and how to diversify the classroom or practice room in a non-tokenistic way.

    Find out more

    Take a look at our annual review for the academic year 2022/23 to find out how we have been supporting our members and the wider music education sector, and how we plan to continue to support, connect and influence in the future.

    Find out more

    Music Hubs in England will be required to capitalise instruments and equipment bought with the £25M capital grant. This four-page guide explains what this means and what Hubs need to be aware of before they spend any of the capital grant.

    Find out more

    This briefing note has been created for those running the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS), explaining the impact of both previous and upcoming changes to the TPS.

    Find out more

    Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for Music returns to speak with Music Mark, this time with a focus on the new music subject report.

    Find out more

    Read our summary of The Department for Education’s strategy for sustainability and climate change for the education and children’s services systems.

    Find out more

    76% of Music Hubs and Services in England participated in a survey to help us understand the impact of their rising costs on children and young people. Read our report on the financial pressures facing Music Hubs and Music Services in England.

    Find out more

    Read our summary of the Ofsted subject report on the quality of music education in the schools inspected in England.

    Find out more

    If you’re a Music Mark Member, Industry Partner or Music Mark School, our Welcome Packs will help you make the most of your membership with all the details of how to use the benefits of your subscription.

    Find out more

    A recording of the Music Hub Partnership Models webinar and accompanying resources.

    Find out more

    Music Mark is developing template documents to help schools prepare their School Music Development Plan.

    Find out more

    A series of templates for elements of the Local Plan for Music Education (LPME) has been developed by Gary Griffiths for Music Mark.

    Find out more

    An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion movement for the Music Education sector.

    Find out more

    MusEd Safe is a partnership between Brass Bands England and Music Mark that gives Music Mark members discounted access to the Brass Bands England Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) to cover groups for child performance licencing requirements.

    Find out more

    In April and July 2023, Bates Wells joined Music Mark to explain the options for organisations partnering to create Music Hubs in the context of the Arts Council England Music Hub Investment Programme.

    Find out more

    In April 2023, Aurora Orchestra joined Music Mark to discuss its musical resources for Early Years, Key Stage 1, and SEND teachers.

    Find out more

    Music Mark’s vision for music education, our mission for how we will do our part in meeting that vision, our values as a charity and the four strategic priorities which form the primary focus of our work for the next three years.

    Find out more

    Learn how to create practical music lessons for KS1 & KS2 classrooms with Reading University’s Dr. Rebecca Berkley.

    Find out more

    This updated guide provides valuable information for governors of schools across England about the importance, benefits, and value of music education.

    Find out more

    Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for music, explains what to expect from a Deep Dive in music.

    Find out more

    Explore routes into a career in instrumental or vocal teaching.

    Find out more

    This webinar, chaired by Every Copy Counts Director Abigail D’Amore, is an opportunity to learn key information about the licenses schools already have, and what schools’ obligations are in terms of reporting data.

    Find out more

    With the support of funding from Arts Council England, The Music Hub Support Programme 2022/2023 offered training, advice, coaching, metoring and more to all employees working in Music Hubs across England.

    Find out more

    Take a look at our annual review for the academic year 2021/22 to find out how we have been supporting our members and the wider music education sector, and how we plan to continue to support, connect, and influence in future.

    Find out more

    Watch recordings of the training sessions from our April 2022 CPD Day.

    Find out more

    The Music Hub Investment Programme, administered by Arts Council England, gave organisations the opportunity to apply to become a Hub Lead Organisation for the Music Hub programme sarting in September 2024. We collated resources relating to the Investment Programme here.

    Find out more

    ABRSM is piloting an Exam Discount Scheme designed to ease some of the financial barriers that families can face in accessing exams. If students have reached the standard required to take ABRSM exams but have been put off by the cost of exam fees, this scheme will enable music services to set a discount of up to 95% that enables them to access exams and receive a recognised qualification.

    Find out more

    This webinar recording includes includes discussions on the strategic management of instrument stocks, repairs & storage across the country.

    Find out more

    An introduction to Trinity College’s new Awards and Certificates in Musical Development for people with learning difficulties.

    Find out more

    A webinar hosted by Music Mark and featuring discussion around the genesis of the National Plan for Music Education in Wales, the National Music Service for Wales and the implications of the Plan.

    Find out more

    On 17 May 2022, The Welsh Government release their National Plan for Music Education. Find out more about the plan in our collated list of resources.

    Find out more

    This directory provides information about the wide range of accredited qualifications in vocal and instrumental teaching that are available in the UK.

    Find out more

    Live sound, PAs, microphones, amplifiers, speakers, Zoom and much more.

    Find out more

    Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for music, presents the latest thinking on effective assessment of music in schools.

    Find out more

    This guide outlines how Music Mark’s online vocal and instrumental curriculum, A Common Approach, can be used to support new teachers, giving them a solid foundation of knowledge and skills as they embark on their careers.

    Find out more

    Christopher Stevens HMI (Ofsted’s new National Lead for Music) presents the key findings of Ofsted’s Music Research Review and discusses what these are telling us about music curriculum design.

    Find out more

    Recordings of two webinars chaired by Bridget Whyte and Phil Castang where panellists discuss the refreshed National Plan for Music Education in England and answer your questions.

    Find out more

    In this resource we have compiled resources and additional information relating to the National Plan for Music Education 2022: The Power of Music to Change Lives.

    Find out more

    This resource, written by Sam Stimpson, provides information and advice on the expectation of Arts Council England when it comes to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

    Find out more

    Case studies and guidance for meaningfully incorporating Youth Voice into your music education organisation.

    Find out more

    Watch recordings of the training sessions from our September 2021 CPD Day.

    Find out more

    Watch recordings of the training sessions from our January 2022 CPD Day.

    Find out more

    Recordings and resources from our online sessions curated by Nate Holder of Why Music, exploring rap, hip hop, blues, steel pan, grime, jazz and much more.

    Find out more

    A resource pack covering employment, contracts, IR35, DBS checks, holiday pay and more.

    Find out more

    Budgets, policies, debt, contracts, reports, bookkeeping, VAT, strategy… learn more in this series of resources and recorded webinars.

    Find out more

    A series of webinars to support you in understanding and implementing each area of the Talk into Action pledge.

    Find out more

    Susan Hallam and Evangelos Himonides, authors of The Power of Music: An Exploration of the Evidence, present their research.

    Find out more

    Recordings and resources from our webinar series with Musicians Without Borders.

    Find out more

    Keynote speech and performance using MiMu gloves from singer, songwriter and music technologist Kris Halpin from Music Mark Annual Conference in Brighton, 2021.

    Find out more

    Information to refer to regarding  regarding Child Performance Licensing now that live performances have resumed post pandemic.

    Find out more

    Recording of our online Q&A session with Viki Smith, General Manager and Abigail D’Amore of the Printed Music Licensing Limited.

    Find out more

    Take a look at our annual review for the academic year 2020/21 to find out how we have been supporting our members and the wider music education sector, and how we plan to continue to support, connect, and influence in future.

    Find out more

    Recommendations from Talk into Action pledgees of books, podcasts, social media accounts and video content they’ve engaged with and found valuable.

    Find out more

    Watch recordings of the training sessions from our April 2021 CPD Day.

    Find out more

    Resources from our Youth Voice Series exploring a range of ways to incorporate the voices of young people in organisational decision making.

    Find out more

    Mark Phillips HMI (Ofsted’s National Lead for Music) gives an update on Ofsted’s work, reflecting on the music subject review published in July.

    Find out more

    A recording and transcript of the keynote speech from the award-winning composer, music historian and broadcaster Howard Goodall, given at our Autumn Term CPD Day in September 2021.

    Find out more

    A summary of the Partnership Innovation Fund projects we’ve supported as part of the Underpinning Hubs for the Future programme. This fund was launched in 2021 to help Music Education Hubs to stabilise and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Find out more

    Download our free, printable A3 Get Playing poster celebrating 10 0f the many benefits of musical learning, to share and display with your own network.

    Find out more

    Get Playing

    Get Playing is a national campaign which celebrates some of the amazing benefits of musical learning, whilst signposting young learners to their local music hub/service.

    Find out more

    Watch recordings of the training sessions from our January 2021 CPD Day.

    Find out more

    Our Music Education Hub Support Programme 2021/2022 offered an enhanced variety of training and resources to help support the development of Music Education Hubs through two programmes – Underpinning Hubs for the Future and the Workforce Development Programme. Find out more about the programme with links to useful resources included.

    Find out more

    Watch a recording of the webinar hosted by the partners leading the #CanDoMusic campaign on 26th April in discussion of the new Model Music Curriculum.

    Find out more

    A research report exploring workforce diversity and representation in London Music Education Hubs through the lens of racism. This research report was commissioned by Music Mark, in partnership with London Music Education Hubs, written and prepared by Samantha Spence.

    Find out more

    A digitised copy of Reaching Out: Music Education with ‘hard to reach’ young people (2013)

    Find out more

    The Department for Education’s 2021 Model Music Curriculum (MMC) supports curriculum music in schools during Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. The curriculum development was teacher led, with input from leading musicians and education sector bodies.

    Find out more

    Download the 10 Things Schools Should Know About Music booklet and posters in Welsh translations.

    This booklet summarises the 10 key benefits of music, from recognition within the National Plan for Music Education that music is an educational building block through to the inclusive nature of music irrespective of abilities.

    Find out more

    Viki Smith, General Manager of Printed Music Licensing Limited, and Abigail D’Amore lead this Q&A session covering the Music Service Licence and the School’s Printed Music Licence.

    Find out more

    Watch recordings of the training sessions from our September 2020 CPD Day.

    Find out more

    Watch recordings of our CPD Days including inspiring keynote speeches and sessions on jazz, gime, rap, song-writing and lots more.

    Find out more

    Music leader and Zoom facilitator James Redwood shares the games, exercises and approaches he has found effective in leading workshops remotely.

    Find out more

    On the 20th November 2020, we ran our first ever virtual conference, Play On: the Music in Music Education, for our colleagues across the country and beyond. Watch our short video and read about some of our highlights! 

    Find out more

    Music Mark has collated a selection of resources intended to support mental health and wellbeing.

    Find out more

    Mark Phillips talks about music in the context of the Education Inspection Framework including ‘deep dives’.

    Find out more

    Watch Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason’s fascinating keynote speech on the role of the parent in supporting musical learning.

    Find out more

    Watch the inspiring keynote speech from Dr Julia Jones aka Dr Rock at our 2020 Virtual Conference.

    Find out more

    We are pleased to present our first ever Annual Review. Read more about what we have been doing over the past academic year for our members and the wider music education sector, and how we plan to continue to support, connect, and influence in future.

    Find out more

    Music Mark conducted a quick survey of its English membership music services at the start of October to see how engagement with schools was compared to the start of the 2019/20 academic year. We have published the results and report here.

    Find out more

    A letter template available in English and Welsh to send to schools advocating for the continuation of musical learning in schools under the risk assessments and safety guidance of Music Unlocked. 

    Find out more

    Sing Up and Music Mark commissioned Professor Martin Ashley to write some up-to-date guidance for schools in relation to managing coronavirus risks associated with singing for the start of the new academic year. We have deliberately waited until there was some concrete evidence to base this guidance on, and Professor Ashley has provided his guidance in the light of research published 20.08.20.

    Find out more

    The #CanDoMusic campaign was created to support school and instrumental and vocal music teachers and signpost them to practical resources so that children and teachers #CanDoMusic in school. The campaign aimed to ensure all children and young people could resume their musical learning as schools reopened after the COVID-19 lockdowns.

    Find out more

    Find out more about the Music Education Hub Support Programme 2020/2021 with links to useful resources included.

     

    Find out more

    We have created a template to help you write to your local MP regarding music education in schools for the academic year 20/21.

    Find out more

    We hosted our first entirely digital Summer Summit on 26th June 2020. There were speakers from ACE, DfE, Music Teacher’s Association and the wider Music Education sector. We discussed key topics relating to funding, music education in schools and the possibilities for ensemble learning now. Listen again here!

    Find out more

    In addition to our Music Unlocked guidance these risk assessments have been prepared for use by Music Mark Members to support with the safe return to Music Teaching in schools.

    Find out more

    Music Mark has worked alongside independent Music Education consultant Gary Griffiths to compile COVID-19 related guidance so you can make music safely in and out of school.

    We have reviewed academic studies, and consulted our Members, the Music Teachers’ Association, the Music Industries Association, the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the Musicians’ Union, as well as individual sector experts, headteachers and teachers.

    Find out more

    Following on from her article for Music Mark, Rachel Pink leads a webinar focusing on techniques to boost wellbeing and resilience in the light of the current pandemic.

    Find out more

    Exploring the specific challenges around licensing in the new online teaching space is increasingly vital to Music Education Providers due to the Coronavirus Lockdown. This session consists of talks from the panellists followed by a Q&A with the session participants.

    Find out more

    Incomes of organisations and individuals are already being affected as a consequence of managing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Many will be thinking about their approach to fundraising to fill the gap in their budgets, with this in mind we’ve pulled together the relevant fundraising advice we could find for organisations and individuals.

    Find out more

    Music Mark has collated information on how Music Education providers can adapt their provision for online learning including some key safeguarding considerations for this new way of working.

    Find out more

    The latest information available on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

    Find out more

    Music Mark’s 2019 Conference took place in Cutlers’ Hall, Sheffield exploring the theme, ‘Play the Bigger Game’.

    Find out more

    Documents, resources and information about what to expect from an Ofsted subject ‘deep dive’ in music.

    Find out more

    Music Mark and the Musicians’ Union are delighted to launch a set of three guides which will provide advice and guidance to organisations who are engaging the music education workforce.

    Find out more

    Speech by Bridget Whyte at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Music Education (APPG) forum, October 16th 2019.

    Find out more

    Following a series of consultations involving its members over a 3 week period, Music Mark has produced this Consultation Paper to inform the Department of Education’s (DfE) Expert Panel for the development of a Model Music Curriculum.

    Find out more

    The DfE and MERYC-ENGLAND joined discussions on a refreshed National Plan for Music Education.

    Find out more

    A guide for Music Hubs by Nigel M Taylor, commissioned by Music Mark and supported by Arts Council England, as part of Music Mark’s wider Leadership Development Programme.

    Find out more

    Find the latest Music Mark consultation as well as research from Sussex University and Ofsted presented at the Music Mark Annual Conference 2018.

    Find out more

    Music Mark shares its October 2018 consultation of its members on the future of the National Plan for Music Education, pulled together by Music Mark Trustee Maureen Hanke.

    Find out more

    Reporters Jack Solloway and Sam Nead from Voice, the magazine for young creatives supported by Trinity College London, will be taking over the Music Mark social media channels to bring you live and rolling coverage throughout the conference.

    Find out more

    These General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) templates were produced as part of Music Mark’s Training on GDPR, led by Advice Partners Bates Wells.

    Find out more

    Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET) Research Report, commissioned by Music Mark and with Arts Council funding, lead by Professor Martin Fautley from Birmingham City University.

    Find out more

    Full Conference Programme; Music Mark CEO Speech; Power Point presentations by Music Mark Annual Conference 2017 contributors.

    Find out more

    Research and film clips illustrating successful approaches to Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET).

    Find out more

    We conceived of a programme that would connect London’s music teachers with each other in a way that transcended the barriers of their school gates.

    Find out more

    Working with Nigel Taylor, Music Mark developed a system that can be used to audit a school’s music provision.

    Find out more

    The Musical Bridges Programme, originally funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, provided resources, ideas, case studies as well as a comprehensive programme of transition activity to support pupils’ continuing musical journey from primary to secondary school.

    Find out more

    As part of the Peer-to-Peer CPD Programme, Music Mark developed a progression framework to aid teachers in planning for musical progress.

    Find out more

    Twenty years after it’s original publication, A Common Approach – the essential framework for a meaningful musical learning journey – has been relaunched, expanded and developed for the contemporary music educator.

    Find out more

    An article published by National Governors’ Association in the September 2015 edition of Governing Matters explains what governors can do to ensure all pupils receive their musical entitlement.

    Find out more

    Music Mark brought together colleagues from a range of education organisations to consider the production of some brief guidance for schools and music education hubs on how music in schools might be further developed and improved.

    Find out more

    This booklet summarises the 10 key benefits of music, from recognition within the National Plan for Music Education that music is an educational building block through to the inclusive nature of music irrespective of abilities.

    Find out more

    Menu