Hit the Right Note: How Music Education Fuels Academic Success (and Makes School More Fun!)

What if there was a way to enhance learning, boost engagement, and help students thrive—all while making school more enjoyable? Enter: music education.

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School can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of lessons, tests, and deadlines. But what if there was a way to enhance learning, boost engagement, and help students thrive—all while making school more enjoyable? Enter: music education.

At Sing Education, we believe music is more than just a subject; it’s a powerful tool for learning, confidence-building, and community. Our approach is built around the human voice, high-energy lessons, and a focus on wellbeing and positive behaviour. The result? A learning environment where every child finds their voice—both musically and academically.

But how does this translate into measurable academic success? Let’s take a look at the impact, as recognised by Ofsted and real schools across the country.

Click to download our report "Why music should be your next ofsted deep dive"
We analysed over 7000 ofsted reports from the last 3 years…read more
A professional individual stands in front of a whiteboard, holding a stack of textbooks and notebooks close to their chest. The person is wearing a brown blazer over a light blue shirt, and the whiteboard behind them features mathematical equations, suggesting an educational or academic setting. The focus on the books and the partial view of the individual implies a sense of readiness and commitment to learning or teaching.

Ofsted’s Perspective: Music as a Foundation for School Excellence

Ofsted inspections reveal that schools with strong music programs often excel in broader educational outcomes. Here’s why:

  • A Broad and Balanced Curriculum: Schools that prioritise music tend to embrace a well-rounded curriculum, creating rich learning experiences that go beyond exam preparation. For example, Abingdon Primary School’s Ofsted report praised their curriculum for reflecting diverse cultures and clearly identifying key knowledge and vocabulary.
  • Deep Learning That Lasts: Music reinforces memory and recall, helping students retain knowledge across subjects in a way that traditional rote learning often cannot. At Alderbrook Primary School, Ofsted highlighted how pupils regularly return to key knowledge, ensuring it sticks.
  • Developing Language Skills: Music isn’t just about melody; it fosters vocabulary growth and comprehension, equipping students with the linguistic tools they need to succeed. St John Fisher Catholic Primary School places a “relentless focus” on developing pupils’ oracy, supporting their ability to access the wider curriculum.
  • Structured Learning for Long-Term Success: A well-sequenced curriculum, much like a well-composed piece of music, helps students build on previous knowledge, reinforcing learning step by step. Springfield Primary School’s curriculum is “carefully ordered” so that music skills develop progressively—from identifying strong beats in early years to reading musical notation in later years.

We analysed over 7000 ofsted reports from the last 3 years to help us understand better how Ofsted choose subjects to deep dive, and what impact this may have on Ofsted results.

Read on to find out more…

Click to download our report "Why music should be your next ofsted deep dive"

Practical Steps for Schools: Making Music a Priority

Want to enhance learning outcomes through music? Here’s how:

  • Develop a Music Strategy: Outline a plan for integrating music into your curriculum, extracurricular activities, and enrichment programmes.
  • Invest in Teachers and Resources: Equip staff with the training, support, and materials they need to deliver high-quality music lessons.
  • Collaborate with Your Local Music Hub: Music Hubs provide invaluable expertise, specialist teachers, and additional opportunities for students.
Click to download our report "Why music should be your next ofsted deep dive"
Read the report, “Why Music Should Be Your Next Ofsted Deep Dive

Real Schools, Real Impact: Success Stories That Sing

Sing Education partners with schools to bring high-quality, singing-led music lessons to life. Our specialist teachers come equipped with expert knowledge, engaging resources, and a curriculum designed to foster both musical and academic progress. Through ongoing assessment and tailored support, we ensure that our programmes deliver meaningful, lasting results for pupils and schools alike.

  • Morningside Primary School (Hackney, London – Outstanding): Music at Morningside is exciting and accessible, allowing every child to engage meaningfully. Recognised as an academic discipline, music provides a universal framework for learning and self-expression. Ofsted noted that weekly singing assemblies promote “togetherness,” with pupils singing in unison with musicality, control, and expression.
  • Victoria Road Primary School (Ashford, Kent – Good): With a commitment to expanding their music programme, Victoria Road is integrating new technologies, diverse genres, and innovative teaching methods to enrich student experiences.
  • St John Fisher Catholic Primary School (Outstanding): Younger pupils at St John Fisher learn tempo and dynamics through rhythm sticks, later applying this knowledge to successfully perform musical pieces. Ofsted recognised how subject-specific vocabulary is introduced and reinforced through structured learning.
  • Springfield Primary School (Outstanding): Springfield’s structured music curriculum allows students to progress from identifying beats to reading and performing complex musical pieces. Teachers ensure subject-specific vocabulary is embedded, enabling pupils to describe and discuss music with confidence. Ofsted praised how “teachers have absolute clarity about what pupils should know and remember,” enabling deep learning.
  • St Robert Southwell (Outstanding): From Reception onwards, music is carefully sequenced to build skills progressively. Younger pupils replicate rhythms, later advancing to reading notation and understanding pitch—an approach praised by Ofsted for its meticulous planning. “The content is meticulously sequenced from the early years onwards, enabling pupils to build their learning progressively,” Ofsted stated, noting its effectiveness in subjects like music and maths.
Click to download our report "Why music should be your next ofsted deep dive"
Read the report, “Why Music Should Be Your Next Ofsted Deep Dive

The National Plan for Music Education: A Commitment to Excellence

The government’s National Plan for Music Education (NPME) highlights the importance of making high-quality music education accessible to all children. More than just an extracurricular activity, music is a vital part of a well-rounded education, fostering creativity, collaboration, and confidence.

Sing Education directly supports schools in meeting NPME’s goals by:

  • Providing specialist teachers to ensure all children receive structured, high-quality music instruction.
  • Delivering a singing-led curriculum that helps pupils develop musicianship skills from early years onwards.
  • Supporting schools with expert guidance on integrating music into the wider curriculum, enrichment activities, and performance opportunities.

 

Music education is more than just an artistic pursuit—it’s a catalyst for academic achievement, personal growth, and school-wide improvement. By prioritising music and partnering with organisations like Sing Education, schools can unlock their pupils’ full potential and create vibrant, inspiring learning environments.

The numbers speak for themselves: Sing Education client schools have seen a 14% increase in Outstanding Ofsted ratings compared to similar schools. High-quality music education doesn’t just enrich school life—it elevates overall academic performance.

So, let the music play—and watch your school hit all the right notes!

 

Click to download our report "Why music should be your next ofsted deep dive"
Read the report, “Why Music Should Be Your Next Ofsted Deep Dive

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Picture of Anna Mackenzie
Anna Mackenzie
Picture of Anna Mackenzie
Anna Mackenzie

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