Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enable children to play a musical instrument at school.

Music is a statutory subject in the National Curriculum for 5-14 year olds in state maintained schools. The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. To support that, between 2016-2020 we are spending £300 million on a network of music education hubs. The hubs ensure that every child aged 5-18 has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument; provide opportunities to play in ensembles; ensure that clear progression routes are available and affordable for all; and ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to sing regularly. In 2015/16, 662,871 pupils learned to play a musical instrument through whole class ensemble teaching that was provided or supported by music education hubs.