Bridget Whyte returns to Westminster Forum as keynote speaker

On Tuesday 27 September 2022, Music Mark CEO Bridget Whyte attended the Westminster Education Forum, delivering a keynote speech. The conference examined the next steps for the music curriculum in England, as well as priorities for the implementation of the refreshed National Plan for Music Education (NPME), titled ‘The Power of Music’.

In her speech, Bridget gave a short overview of the history of music education in the UK, describing its current state as ‘transitory’. She acknowledged the ambitions within the English and the Welsh Plans, and the potential within both to ensure all children and young people access the benefits and opportunities of musical learning. However, with little having moved on in England since the publication of the NPME on 25 June 2022, she summarised that ‘until there is more clarity on the road ahead, we must wait’.

 You can read Bridget’s full speech from the forum here.

With a number of presentations and discussions throughout the morning, delegates were also able to hear from Ian Burton, CEO of Nottingham Music Hub and Advisory Committee member of Music Mark, and Music Mark’s EDI Lead, Yogesh Dattani. Sessions explored the position of music within the school timetable, methods to boost uptake at GCSE and A-Level, the ongoing catch-up following the pandemic, and establishing a skilled workforce with sufficient resources.

Attending the forum, Music Teacher Magazine provided coverage on Twitter:

MT is sitting in on the Westminster Education Forum policy conference this morning on Next Steps for the Music Curriculum in England and the implementation of the new National Plan. More coverage to follow⬇️#WEdFEvents

— Music Teacher (@MusicTeacherMag) September 27, 2022