The findings of the DM Education consultation into disabling barriers to formal music education have now been published in the Experiences section of the DM Education web pages. These findings represent a significant insight into the experiences of the SEN/Disabled young people and musicians, teachers and music educators who shared their views.
The responses to the consultation were varied and wide ranging, but some key themes emerge, among which are basic measures that can be carried out immediately to break down barriers. The clearest of these is the need for better planning through, for example; improved timetabling and communication within schools, wider sharing of information, and adequate preparation time for teachers. It is notable that although money for equipment was an issuse mentioned by a number of respondents, the need for better planning was a far more widespread concern.
Based on the consultation findings and the experiences of DM Education, we have also publised a list of 'benchmarks' that all institutions providing music education for SEN/Disabled learners should prioritise and regularly re-assess. At this crucial time in music education with the establishment of Music Education Hubs, Drake Music is particularly calling on all those involved in forming the Hubs to prioritise these 'benchmarks' to improve access. The 'benchmarks' can be found on the consultation findings Experiences page and also within the Executive Summary that can be downloaded at the bottom of that page. Further information on advice and support that Drake Music can offer to Music Education Hubs is available here.
The consultation findings link clearly to the National Plan for Music Education (Nov 2011) and OFSTED's report Music in schools: wider still, and wider (March 2012). The National Plan aims for ‘equality of opportunity for all pupils’ with clear progression routes a priority, while the OFSTED report challenges ‘inequalities in musical opportunities and participation’. Both identify better planning as key to achieving this. (Read Drake Music's response to the National Plan here.)