UNISON Suffolk County has helped launch the Music Matters Coalition today to campaign to make music a priority for children and young people.
The six-union coalition is conducting a survey asking school staff, music educators, parents, carers, pupils and the wider Suffolk community about which aspects of music education are important to them, particularly in the wake of Covid-19.
Music Matters hopes the survey finding can help shape how the service should be delivered in the future.
Music Matters Coalition spokesperson Graham White of the National Education Union said: “We are deeply concerned about the impact the pandemic is having on children and young people’s opportunities to access music education.
“There is a real risk that pupils growing up could miss out on music unless there is a renewed focus on this from policy makers at all levels.
“We want children, young people, their parents and carers and everyone working in music education in Suffolk to take part in the survey to share their experiences of why music is so important.
“We will use the survey result to raise the importance of music with government bodies, the local council, school and community partners to influence much needed improvements for children and young people.”
Music Matters is made up of UNISON, the Musicians’ Union, NASUWT, National Education Union, Unite and Voice Community.
Music Matters founding statement
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- Education matters,
- Music matters,
- Every child matters,
- Education is a right not a privilege.
Music education should be accessible for all pupils. Every pupil should, in a school, receive high quality music teaching, including instrumental tuition irrespective of ability, gender, ethnicity or income.
Education should be broad and balanced and that means that academic as well as performing subjects should be provided to all pupils starting from the early years.
All pupils have talents and skills and these need to be developed. If a pupil has a particular talent or interest then this can be further developed outside school as well.
In addition to excellent opportunities in settings and schools, the private, voluntary and community sectors play a vital role in the overall provision of music education across Suffolk.
You can follow the coalition on Facebook to find out more and join the conversation.
