B

Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 20 May 2026

Debate

Disadvantaged Pupils: Music Attainment Gap

Contribution

My noble friend highlights a key area. The department funds the music opportunities pilot in 10 areas to assess the impact of targeted support for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and for SEND and offers primary and secondary pupils free lessons to progress, including taking music exams. All music hubs must have inclusion strategies to support disadvantaged children, and an evaluation report is due next year. Finally, the new national centre for music and arts education will focus on addressing inequity in arts education, including a key role in promoting to schools the benefits of studying performing arts to age 16, such as GCSE music.

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