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.
Take a look at our annual review for the academic year 2023/24 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.
Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for Music returns to speak with Music Mark in October 2024, this time talking inspections and giving more details on SEND.
Watch recordings from the inaugural Digital Innovation in Music Education Conference 2024.
This Asset Purchase and Management Agreement (APMA) template has been created by legal firm, Bates Wells, specifically for use by Hub Lead Organisations (HLOs) to support the requirements of the Arts Council England Capital Grant.
An assessment on whether VAT on private school fees has any effect on music services.
Following the 2024 riots, Music Mark put a call out to its members asking for projects and resources that champion Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI). This page brings together case studies, resources and events to help and inspire others to promote these values in their work.
This resource has been created as a tool for Hub Lead Organisations to use in their board reporting. The template is intended to act as a tool for reflection by Hub Lead Organisation leaders, to enable them to cover the requirements of board reporting for Arts Council England whilst enabling boards a digestible and clear agenda and outcomes for each meeting.
This series of templates, summaries and guidance for elements of the Local Plan for Music Education (LPME) has been developed by Gary Griffiths for Music Mark.
In Spring 2024, we added an updated Music Tech category as well as a brand new Tabla section to A Common Approach, our online resource to support music educators in their teaching practice. Watch our in-depth introduction to these modules led by the people who helped create them.
Download our This Is Not A Rehearsal asset pack to share the campaign on your social media pages.
Members can watch back the livestream from our 2024 Spring Summit and download resources from the day.
In Spring 2024, Music Mark invited members to discuss the charity’s advocacy work and to help inform our political goals in a general election year, before running a session on Political Advocacy with arts and public affairs consultants and campaigning and electoral law experts.
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.
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.
A recording of our Introduction to Fundraising training with Cause4, along with useful links on the subject.
Digit Music has introduced a series of free digital music classroom packs, designed to ignite inspiration for young learners and build confidence for teachers.
An introduction to AYM’s Identifying Musical Talent and Potential (ITP) training.
Sam Stimpson and Rhiannon Diamond highlight inequities in Music Education, and how to diversify the classroom or practice room in a non-tokenistic way.
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.
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.
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.
Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for Music returns to speak with Music Mark in late 2023, this time with a focus on the new music subject report.
Read our summary of The Department for Education’s strategy for sustainability and climate change for the education and children’s services systems.
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.
Read our summary of the Ofsted subject report on the quality of music education in the schools inspected in England.
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.
A recording of the Music Hub Partnership Models webinar and accompanying resources.
Music Mark has developed template documents to help schools prepare their School Music Development Plan.
This series of templates for elements of the Local Plan for Music Education (LPME) has been developed by Gary Griffiths for Music Mark.
An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion movement for the Music Education sector.
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.
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.
In April 2023, Aurora Orchestra joined Music Mark to discuss its musical resources for Early Years, Key Stage 1, and SEND teachers.
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.
Learn how to create practical music lessons for KS1 & KS2 classrooms with Reading University’s Dr. Rebecca Berkley.
This updated guide provides valuable information for governors of schools across England about the importance, benefits, and value of music education.
Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for music, explains what to expect from a Deep Dive in music in 2023.
Explore routes into a career in instrumental or vocal teaching.
Music Mark webinars from 2023 and 2024, regarding Music licensing in Music Education settings.
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.
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.
Watch recordings of the training sessions from our April 2022 CPD Day.
Following the publication of the English National Plan for Music Education in June 2022, the Music Hub Investment Programme (administrated by Arts Council England) gave organisations the opportunity to apply to become a Hub Lead Organisation from September 2024. We collated resources relating to the Investment Programme here.
The ABRSM Exam Discount Scheme is 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.
This webinar recording includes includes discussions on the strategic management of instrument stocks, repairs & storage across the country.
An introduction to Trinity College’s new Awards and Certificates in Musical Development for people with learning difficulties.
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.
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.
This directory provides information about the wide range of accredited qualifications in vocal and instrumental teaching that are available in the UK.
Live sound, PAs, microphones, amplifiers, speakers, Zoom and much more.
In 2022, Ofsted’s Christopher Stevens, HMI National Lead for music, presented the latest thinking on effective assessment of music in schools.
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.
In March 2022, Christopher Stevens HMI (Ofsted’s new National Lead for Music) presented the key findings of Ofsted’s Music Research Review and discusses what these are telling us about music curriculum design.
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.
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.
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.
Case studies and guidance for meaningfully incorporating Youth Voice into your music education organisation.
Watch recordings of the training sessions from our September 2021 CPD Day.
Watch recordings of the training sessions from our January 2022 CPD Day.
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.
A resource pack covering employment, contracts, IR35, DBS checks, holiday pay and more.
Budgets, policies, debt, contracts, reports, bookkeeping, VAT, strategy… learn more in this series of resources and recorded webinars.
A series of webinars to support you in understanding and implementing each area of the Talk into Action pledge.
Susan Hallam and Evangelos Himonides, authors of The Power of Music: An Exploration of the Evidence, present their research.
Recordings and resources from our webinar series with Musicians Without Borders.
Keynote speech and performance using MiMu gloves from singer, songwriter and music technologist Kris Halpin from Music Mark Annual Conference in Brighton, 2021.
An information sheet providing a reminder and an update on the position regarding Child Performance Licensing.
Recording of our online Q&A session with Viki Smith, General Manager and Abigail D’Amore of the Printed Music Licensing Limited.
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.
Recommendations from Talk into Action pledgees of books, podcasts, social media accounts and video content they’ve engaged with and found valuable.
Watch recordings of the training sessions from our April 2021 CPD Day.
Resources from our Youth Voice Series exploring a range of ways to incorporate the voices of young people in organisational decision making.
Mark Phillips HMI (Ofsted’s National Lead for Music) gives an autumn 2021 update on Ofsted’s work, reflecting on the music subject review published in July of that year.
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.
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.
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.
Get Playing is a national campaign which celebrates some of the amazing benefits of musical learning.
Watch recordings of the training sessions from our January 2021 CPD Day.
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.
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.
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.
A digitised copy of Reaching Out: Music Education with ‘hard to reach’ young people (2013)
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.
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.
An overview of online exam options at six exam boards.
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.
Watch recordings of the training sessions from our September 2020 CPD Day.
Watch recordings of our CPD Days including inspiring keynote speeches and sessions on jazz, gime, rap, song-writing and lots more.
Music leader and Zoom facilitator James Redwood shares the games, exercises and approaches he has found effective in leading workshops remotely.
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!
Music Mark has collated a selection of resources intended to support mental health and wellbeing. For mental health emergencies, please call your GP or NHS 111 and they will help you to access immediate medical support.
In early 2021, Mark Phillips discussed music in the context of the Education Inspection Framework including ‘deep dives’.
Watch Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason’s fascinating keynote speech on the role of the parent in supporting musical learning.
Watch the inspiring keynote speech from Dr Julia Jones aka Dr Rock at our 2020 Virtual Conference.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 about the Music Education Hub Support Programme 2020/2021 with links to useful resources included.
We have created a template to help you write to your local MP regarding music education in schools for the academic year 24/25.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Two supplements to Nigel M Taylor’s Developing Organisational Resilience document.
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.
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.
The latest information available on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Music Mark’s 2019 Conference took place in Cutlers’ Hall, Sheffield exploring the theme, ‘Play the Bigger Game’.
Documents, resources and information about what to expect from an Ofsted subject ‘deep dive’ in music.
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.
Speech by Bridget Whyte at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Music Education (APPG) forum, October 16th 2019.
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.
The DfE and MERYC-ENGLAND joined discussions on a refreshed National Plan for Music Education.
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 the latest Music Mark consultation as well as research from Sussex University and Ofsted presented at the Music Mark Annual Conference 2018.
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.
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.
These General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) templates were produced as part of Music Mark’s Training on GDPR, led by Advice Partners Bates Wells.
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.
Full Conference Programme; Music Mark CEO Speech; Power Point presentations by Music Mark Annual Conference 2017 contributors.
Research and film clips illustrating successful approaches to Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET).
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.
Working with Nigel Taylor, Music Mark developed a system that can be used to audit a school’s music provision.
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.
As part of the Peer-to-Peer CPD Programme, Music Mark developed a progression framework to aid teachers in planning for musical progress.
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.
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.
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.
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.
