Teaching music in England today

Abstract

This research explores the issues and challenges facing music teachers in England today. It aims to understand these and provide a more detailed understanding of their views about the potential opportunities and limitations of music education. It does this through an analysis of new data drawn from an online question (n.621) and telephone interviews (n.38) with music teachers from across all regions of England. This data collection took place in early 2020 prior to the lockdown in England as a result of COVID-19. The analysis of these data took place during April and May 2020, while England was under lockdown. Key themes explored relate to funding, equal opportunities and access to music education, hidden personal costs, confidence in policy making, leadership and accountability. Due to the timing of the analysis of the data, the conclusions drawn from this study are reflected upon in light of the imposition of restrictions due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. By identifying the challenges faced by music teachers in England, and their pragmatic responses to these, it is hoped that those responsible for music education in other parts of the world can make wiser choices that those made by English policy-makers.