Lincolnshire Music Service response to the curriculum review

Lincolnshire Music Service (LMS) welcomes the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review with a renewed commitment to the arts:

Building a World-Class Curriculum for All Read full report here

In July 2024, the Government commissioned Professor Becky Francis CBE to convene and chair a panel of experts (the Review Panel) to conduct a review of the curriculum and assessment system in England (the Review), including qualification pathways, across the primary, secondary and 16-19 phases.

The Review sets out a new vision for education in England — one that ensures every child has access to a broad, balanced and high-quality curriculum, designed to develop knowledge, creativity and essential life skills. We are particularly pleased to see such a strong emphasis on the arts and creative subjects, recognising their central role in preparing young people for the future.

The arts and creativity

As the lead organisation for the Lincolnshire Music Education Hub and the Lincolnshire Cultural Education Partnership, LMS strongly supports the Review’s message that arts and creativity are essential, not optional. The report makes clear that creative learning:

• Builds confidence, communication and collaboration skills;
• Encourages innovation and problem-solving, preparing pupils for a changing world;
• Promotes cultural understanding and wellbeing;
• Equips learners with transferable employability skills valued across all sectors.

We are committed to working with cultural and education partners across Lincolnshire to ensure these benefits reach every school and every child.

A broader, fairer curriculum

LMS particularly welcomes the Review’s removal of the EBacc as a headline measure of school performance. This long-awaited change removes a significant barrier that has limited pupil choice and undervalued creative subjects.

The introduction of the new ‘Academic Breadth Bucket’ for school accountability will provide schools with greater flexibility to design curricula that meet the needs and interests of their learners — enabling more pupils to continue with music, art, drama and dance beyond Key Stage 3.

Diversity and inclusion

The Review highlights the need for a curriculum that reflects the diversity of modern Britain and ensures all young people feel represented and included. LMS fully endorses this commitment.

In Lincolnshire, we continue to ensure our music education offer:

• Represents a diverse range of musical genres, voices and traditions;
• Provides equitable access to instrumental learning and creative opportunities;
• Actively removes barriers to participation for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups;
• Celebrates the power of music to bring people together and foster understanding.

Music education in focus

Within the subject-specific findings, the Review identifies music as a vital part of a well-rounded education and calls for:

• Clearer progression routes from Key Stage 1 to 4;
• Equal access to instrumental and vocal learning within schools;
• Review and improvement of GCSE and Technical Award pathways;
• Strengthened collaboration with Music Hubs and the National Centre for Arts and Music Education
• These aims align closely with LMS’s own strategic priorities and delivery across Lincolnshire.

Our continued commitment

Lincolnshire Music Service remains committed to ensuring that every child and young person can experience high-quality, inclusive and inspiring music education.

We will continue to:

•  Support schools in building sequenced musical learning from early years through to Key Stage 4;
• Continue to support and develop a workforce that is the catalyst for ensuring every child can access a high-quality music education.  
• Provide instrumental tuition, ensembles and creative projects that foster lifelong engagement;
• Champion diversity, inclusion, equality and equity across all aspects of music education;
• Strengthen collaboration across the county through our leadership of the Lincolnshire Cultural Education Partnership.

Looking ahead

LMS is proud to support the vision set out in this national review. The arts are vital to nurturing imagination, resilience and cultural identity. By working together, we can ensure that every young person in Lincolnshire benefits from a curriculum that is not only world-class, but rich in creativity and opportunity. Read the full Curriculum and Assessment Review: Building a World-Class Curriculum for All