Written question asked by Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 February 2006. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Music

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have participated in the Wider Opportunities music programme; and what plans are in place to enable students to continue music tuition.

Answer: The 2005 survey of local authority music services showed that 13 per cent. of students at KS2 (more than a quarter of a million young people) are benefiting from instrumental tuition as a result of the Wider Opportunities programme. This is up from 7 per cent. in 2002.Piloting of Wider Opportunities suggests that many of these children will continue with music tuition after their instrumental programme ends. To support ongoing opportunities:"we are continuing to invest £60 million per annum in music service provision;"" we are encouraging schools and families to buy in additional tuition beyond the initial programme—including through the extended schools programme;""we are exploring future models of KS3 provision which include elements of instrumental tuition; and""through the music manifesto we are looking at ways of developing and delivering a more personalised music education to secondary students, including opportunities for instrumental and vocal tuition."

Secondary information