Music Teachers: Recruitment

Debate between Lord Winston and Baroness Smith of Malvern

Monday 20th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

This lady only got as far as grade 7, I am afraid—I am grade 6 in cello. The noble Lord makes an important point about the use of volunteers, but the key issue is whether we have the quality of teachers to give our children a strong music education. The fact that we have seen 55% more applications for initial teacher training in music in the past two years is encouraging, but we will, in the spirit of the challenge that has been put through this question, keep that under review to make sure we continue to deliver on the increase in specialist teachers in our state schools that we have so far succeeded in delivering.

[Lord Winston (Lab)]

My Lords, I fear my noble friend underestimates the issue. Music teachers make a great difference to education generally. Music teaches collaboration, awareness of emotions, memory, social awareness, reading ability and a range of other things as well. That has to be done by music teachers, and they should be available in schools. That should be a priority for the Government.

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

I am sorry if my noble friend thinks that I have not looked enthusiastic about this. I was emphasising the progress that this Government are making in ensuring that qualified music teachers are in our schools, including through considerable investment. I agree with my noble friend that we need expert music teachers in our schools. At this point, more than 90% of the hours of music taught in our schools is provided by specialist music teachers. Of course that means there can be more improvement, and that is what the Government are committed to doing. But we have made considerable progress in the time we have been in government.