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Music Education

Ahead of the release of the refreshed National Plan for Music Education (NPME), which is expected in spring 2022, the ISM continues to campaign for every child to have access to high-quality music education and a broad and balanced curriculum. ‘ISM music education survey reveals 99% of teachers want consultation over NPME‘

The ISM’s recent survey of music teachers has shown that 99% of respondents want to be consulted on the draft refreshed National Plan for Music Education (NPME) before it is finalised. Over 500 music teachers in England took part in the survey. Thanking teachers for their responses, ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts said: ‘We hope the Department of Education now commits to a meaningful consultation with music teachers on the draft refreshed NPME.’ Further survey results will be released in due course. ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts asks Ofqual Chair Ian Bauckham to retract harmful proposal

In January ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts wrote to the Chair of Ofqual, Ian Bauckham, asking him to retract his proposal to suspend the teaching of certain specialist subjects, including music, to help solve the staffing crisis caused by COVID-19. The letter pointed out that the proposal would be highly damaging to music education and was contrary to the government’s commitment to music in schools and to delivering a broad and balanced curriculum. Following the ISM’s letter and emails to Ofqual from many ISM members, Ian Bauckham responded and made it clear that he was not writing in his capacity as Chair of Ofqual and that he supports music education in schools. Read the letter and Ian Bauckham’s response in full: ism.org/news/ism-writes-to-chair-of-ofqual

Brexit

The ISM continues to campaign on Brexit-related issues on behalf of musicians. We have been meeting regularly with politicians and government officials to highlight the disastrous consequences the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is having on musicians’ ability to tour in Europe. Following the resignation of Lord Frost as the chief post-Brexit negotiator, ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts wrote to his successor, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in January to provide an overview of the situation for touring musicians. The letter highlighted the ISM’s concerns about the government’s misleading statements regarding visa and work-permit-free touring, and the lack of clarity and accuracy in government guidance for musicians working in the European Union (EU). It also raised the reluctance of officials to pursue a bespoke Visa Waiver Agreement for purely political reasons, and the lack of engagement with EU Member States to negotiate individual bilateral agreements. The letter asked for Truss to clarify what negotiations are currently underway and to work with the EU to secure cultural exemptions for other red tape affecting musicians such as ATA Carnets. Read the letter in full. ism.org/news/ism-writesto-liz-truss-as-she-takes-over-ministerialresponsibility-for-the-uks-relationship-with-theeuropean-union Keep up to date with the latest visa information with our guide: ism.org/visa-guide-europe

Financial hardships facing musicians

In December the ISM ran a poll which showed that the majority of people are in favour of financial support for musicians affected by the pandemic. The poll, conducted by YouGov, found that 71% of respondents supported the government providing financial support to those working in music and theatre who have lost work as a result of the current COVID-19 outbreak. In response to the poll, ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts said: ‘The public understand how hard the pandemic has been on musicians and the creative industries. It’s time for Rishi Sunak to do what is right and popular and support our creatives during this incredibly concerning time.’ More details from the YouGov poll. ism.org/news/ ism-brands-the-chancellor-of-the-exchequersfinancial-package-for-the-arts-a-disappointment The ISM also wrote to Chancellor Rishi Sunak about the lack of support for freelance musicians who have lost work as a result of the pandemic. Although Sunak announced a £30 million top-up to the Cultural Recovery Fund in December, the letter pointed out that this package would not help freelancers. The letter also outlined the measures that should be considered, including expanding the Cultural Recovery Fund to allow creative freelancers, including musicians, to apply for and receive support directly from the fund. In addition to the top-up funding, the ISM has called for more targeted financial support for musicians such as furlough, Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and the reinstatement of the uplift in Universal Credit. We have also called on the government to expand the reinsurance scheme to protect against shows becoming financially unviable due to outbreaks of COVID-19 among the cast and crew. While the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Arts Council England have donated £650,000 to a hardship fund, which will be administered by the charity Help Musicians, the ISM believes this falls well short of the comprehensive support that musicians need. Read the letter to Rishi Sunak in full. ism.org/news/ ism-urge-financial-support-for-musicians

Join the ISM Members’ Community on Facebook

Stay connected to your fellow ISM members by joining over 1,500 other music professionals in our exclusive Facebook group. A space to share stories and ideas, ask questions and discuss hot topics, the group offers you a chance to network and feel supported by your peers. Access the group at facebook.com/groups/myismis