Music Education Grant (MEG)

The Department for Education now expects all schools and Music Hubs to deliver against the aims and objectives of the new National Plan for Music Education (NPME2).

The plan includes clear recognition of the importance of schools in providing music opportunities in and out of the classroom, identifying the following common features that the DfE expects to see offered in every school:

• Timetabled curriculum of at least one hour each week of the school year for key stages 1-3
• Access to lessons across a range of instruments and voice
• A school choir and/or vocal ensemble
• A school ensemble/band/group
• Space for rehearsals and individual practice
• A termly school performance
• Opportunities to enjoy a live music performance at least once a year.

Each school will need to apply for MEG funding by 6th October 2023 and can do so by visiting funding opportunities section of the Devon and Torbay Music Education Hub website. Collecting this data is important and forms part of the Hub’s statutory reporting to DfE/Arts Council England and they are also required to pass on details of schools that fail to comply.

NPME2 states ‘In partnership with their Music Hub, we would like every school (including Multi Academy Trusts) to have a Music Development Plan that captures their curricular and co-curricular offer and sets out how it will be staffed and funded’ (DfE, 2022).

There is an updated self-evaluation tool  to inform a school’s Music Development Plan. This considers provision both in and beyond the classroom, as well as the role of school leaders and local partnerships in supporting the school’s music offer. As before, schools will need to share their self-evaluation judgement in order to qualify for Music Education Grant (MEG) funding and related support from the Hub.