University of Sussex carry out survey of music over time in secondary schools

A message from Duncan Mackrill, Senior Lecturer in Education, School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex.

In 2016, the School of Education and Social Work of the University of Sussex carried out a survey of music over time in secondary schools, supported by Music Mark and the ISM. Through this research, they gathered data from 2012 to 2016/17, allowing them to map changes over time relating to staffing levels, curriculum time and models, and uptake at Key Stages 4 and 5. The findings were widely reported over the last year in the press, television, radio and led to a number of questions being tabled in Parliament, together with a presentation to an All Party Parliamentary Group.

They have continued to make the case with politicians and the DfE, for Music in the curriculum and highlight the reduction in the number of students having the opportunity to take Music in many schools. They now feel that it is important to update the research to include this year and look forward to 2018/19 so that they can identify whether the situation has improved, stayed the same, or deteriorated further.

The School of Education and Social Work of the University of Sussex are therefore asking if you would be prepared to complete a similar (but shorter) survey to provide us with data on these last two years for schools in England only. As before, this is via a secure Bristol On Line survey that you will find here:

https://sussex.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/music2018

There is no log-in but please copy and paste the address into your browser if you encounter any difficulty.

We would be grateful if you could complete this over the next few weeks and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries.

(A.Daubney@sussex.ac.uk and d.r.mackrill@sussex.ac.uk)

Lastly, you can find a copy of the summary (updated from last year) together with the slides from our presentation ‘Is Music in the Curriculum Facing Extinction?’ on 29 January 2018:

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/education/ctlr/activity/seminararchive201718

Once again, please copy and paste the address into your browser if you encounter any difficulty.

Duncan Mackrill
Senior Lecturer in Education
Essex House 251
School of Education and Social Work
University of Sussex
Falmer, Brighton
BN1 9QQ
Tel: 01273 877614

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