We are not aware of any reduction in the demand from pupils for learning a musical instrument. The Survey of Local Education Music Services 2002 reported that
“although the proportion of individuals learning to play an instrument is relatively small, demand for tuition is very high”.
A report to the QCA in 2002 indicated that about 40 per cent. of children not already playing an instrument wanted to learn. Encouraging pupil demand is not therefore a problem but we do want to improve access. The Government accept the value of learning to play and have pledged to ensure that over time every child at Key Stage 2 who wants to should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. £30 million of additional funding is being made available over this year and next specifically to support instrumental and vocal tuition for Key Stage 2 pupils.
This information is not collected centrally.
However, improving access in schools to instrumental and vocal tuition for whole classes and year groups at Key Stage 2, which began with “Wider Opportunities” pilots, has already had an impact in primary school provision. The Survey of Local Education Authorities Music Services in 2005 found that 13 per cent. of Key Stage 2 pupils were learning to play an instrument in school—a significant improvement on 2002 when the figure was 7 per cent.
We are now providing additional resources to ensure many more primary school children can benefit from learning to play an instrument. An extra £26 million has been allocated for primary schools across this financial year and next to support music tuition at Key Stage 2, £2 million has been provided to fund a scheme for the purchase or repair of musical instruments; and £2 million to devise and deliver a programme of CPD to support those involved in working with pupils in primary schools.