Please can we get our collective acts together - central and local government, the various professional music associations, senior managers and governors in schools, and private, peripatetic and school music teachers? We all contribute to the musical and educational experiences of the same young people, but often in an unco-ordinated or inadequately planned and resourced way.

It will be 2013 before children who are now three years old complete their statutory entitlement to music education. Wouldn’t it be marvellous if their educational experience could be what is intended?

The statutory requirements for music from foundation stage through key stages 1, 2 and 3 provide a suitable framework that covers range, depth and breadth of music. The QCA schemes of work and exemplification materials set the standards to be achieved. There is now the Government’s commitment in the White Paper which states that: “over time, all primary pupils who want to will be able to learn a musical instrument” (Schools: Achieving Success, Department for Education and Skills, 2001). What is needed to accomplish this?

We must ensure appropriately resourced and focused continuing professional development (CPD) for all teachers. Current proposals for initial teacher education will further reduce the musical skill and confidence base of teachers new to the profession. Specifically, the expertise and knowledge needed to teach music to Years 5 and 6 is a problem. Are you confident and skilled enough to be able to teach the QCA schemes of work to these pupils? If you are, great. My experience is that several colleagues find this challenging.

To enable all primary pupils, who so wish, to learn to play a musical instrument there is much to be done. Curricular coherence, definitions and resource implications are all being discussed. Public funding must be co-ordinated to support effective and efficient practice.

Students in Year 7 and above could be teaching by 2013. We must encourage and equip them to teach and enthuse future generations through to 2055. Many colleagues need CPD to enable them to offer a relevant and engaging curriculum at KS3. (See Arts Education in Secondary Schools: Effects and Effectiveness, National foundation for Educational Research, 2000). Senior managers need to understand the requirements for equipment and technical support in the modern music department, and the unique demands of increasing numbers of students post-14.

NAME is producing Notes for Senior Managers; Notes for Governors is available now. Working together we can give pupils their entitlement.

Richard Hallam is chair of the National Association of Music Educators, 16 Pinions Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 7AT. Telfax: 01494 473410.Web: www.name.org.uk