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Music Development Plans for Primary Schools

A music development plan sets out how a school will provide music and what it wants to improve. It should connect the curriculum with opportunities for children to make music beyond their class lessons.

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  • Tags: Curricular, Curriculum, Extracurricular, Featured, Instrumental, News, Provision, Resources

What is a school music development plan?

DfE guidance asks schools in England to have a plan and publish a summary on their website, updating the summary before each new academic year. The department provides an optional template. This is a policy expectation, not a new statutory requirement to use that template.

A music instructor is teaching ukulele to a small group of attentive students wearing school uniforms. The focus is on a young boy as he carefully watches the teacher's hand positioning, while a girl to his side also practices, illustrating a moment of musical learning and concentration.

Start with what children can access now

Write down how music is taught in each year group. Check the teaching time and who supports the staff leading it.

Then look beyond class lessons. Describe the choir or ensembles children can join and any instrumental tuition available. Explain how families find out about these opportunities and what help with costs is offered.

Keep the summary accurate. If an activity is planned but has not started, say so. Families should be able to distinguish the current offer from the next step.

Choose improvements you can deliver

Identify a small number of priorities based on the school’s needs. A school might need more consistent class teaching or a clearer route into instrumental learning. Decide who will lead each improvement and how it will be funded.

Set a review date. Ask what has changed for children and what staff need next. Update the published summary when the offer changes, as well as at the annual review.

Two schoolchildren in green uniforms are seated on the floor, sharing a wooden xylophone. The girl on the left, with a long braid, holds a mallet and appears focused on the instrument, while the girl on the right looks at her with a smile, suggesting a moment of musical collaboration and learning.

Use a template as a starting point

Download the free music development plan template from our resources page and adapt it to your school. Check it against the current DfE guidance before publishing.

If curriculum delivery is one of your priorities, explore Sing Education Classroom at our Classroom page or in-school teaching at our Specialist page. We can discuss your plans through our contact page.

Related guide: read about the National Curriculum for music.

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About the author

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Alice Cadman
Alice Cadman is Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Sing Education. Alice shapes the educational vision behind Sing Education’s products, including Sing Education Classroom. She connects the way children learn music with the way teachers learn to teach it. Her work brings curriculum and ongoing teacher development together, helping the team turn that vision into thoughtful, confident classroom teaching.
Picture of Alice Cadman
Alice Cadman
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