State schools 'miss out on music'

The government is promising to increase participation in music

Children who attend independent schools in England are six times more likely to be taught music than those in the state sector, research suggests.

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music found half of all pupils had received tuition in the 101 private schools it surveyed.

Government statistics showed the proportion in state schools was 8.4%.

The board wants more spending on music. The government says it wants all pupils to be able to learn an instrument.

Safeguards

The board's chief executive, Richard Morris, said the chancellor must increase the £59m a year currently spent on instrumental and voice training when he announces next year's Comprehensive Spending Review.

He added: "We call on the government to put in place structures and funding mechanisms that will not only safeguard existing provision but will ensure delivery of sustained, progressive instrumental or vocal tuition for at least one million more young people over years to come."

The board found that, where independent schools provided music tuition, 93% was in one-to-one lessons.

For the state sector, the proportion was 23%.

While one full-time teacher in the private sector helped an average of 28 pupils, the figure for the state sector was 117.

Some 36% of independent school pupils were in choirs compared with 15.1% of state pupils.

The government's "music manifesto", launched in 2004, promises to give free or cut-price tuition to all children in England over five years.

Mr Morris said: "The Associated Board research highlights just how far there is to go to realise the government's pledges and ambitions.

"It comes at a pivotal moment ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review."

A Department for Education and Skills spokesman said music training was "a priority for this government".

The number of primary school pupils learning an instrument had doubled since 2002, he added.