* Funding for school music will increase to pound;60 million a year next year so that every local authority in the country can offer children the chance to learn an instrument, the Government has announced.
Jacqui Smith, education minister, said: “This extra money will help to ensure not only that instruments are available, but that teachers can updte their skills.”
The Government introduced a Music Standards Fund in 1999 to halt the decline in school music. In 1999, pound;40m was allocated, and this rose to pound;50m in 2000.
Arts education in secondary schools:effects and effectiveness, NFER: a summary and commentary is available free from RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ
