The Government must make Music and Art compulsory subjects in all state schools. Music and Art education should be, and are, a right, not a privilege. Funds need to be redirected to children who might not ever have a chance to play an instrument, or be exposed to Music and Painting or Art History.

We, the undersigned, petition the Government to make music a compulsory subject in all state primary and secondary schools, including a mandatory term of instrument learning in primary school and a compulsory music component in the secondary curriculum.

42% of state secondary schools do not enter a single pupil for GCSE music. 85% of private schools have an orchestra; only 12% of state schools do. As Julian Lloyd Webber stated at the Cheltenham Literary Festival in October 2026: "They say it's in the curriculum but it's not a compulsory subject – so basically, it doesn't get done."

The Government's July 2026 curriculum reform promised "more diverse genres and performance styles" but stopped short of making the subject mandatory. This is not enough.

The evidence is clear:

Music transforms children as people. Programmes like MiSST show self-confidence rises by over 10%, behaviour improves, and anti-social behaviour drops.
Cost is excluding children. Many leave school without having learnt a single note because they cannot afford lessons. Music should be a birthright, not a privilege.
Creative skills are the future. Jobs will be lost to automation, but creative work will be among the least affected.
Music makes communities stronger and healthier, saving public money in health and social care.
The previous petition for "free musical instrument tuition" (closed January 2019, 29,423 signatures) asked for an add-on. This petition asks for something different and stronger: compulsory status. Until music is mandatory, it will continue to quietly disappear from state schools.

We therefore urge the Government to introduce legislation making music a compulsory subject in all state schools, with a guaranteed minimum of one term of instrument learning per year in primary school. 

In many state schools across our country, music and art are being marginalized, leaving students with fewer opportunities to develop critical thinking and creative skills essential for their personal and professional growth. According to a study by the Arts Education Partnership, students involved in arts education perform better academically and are more likely to pursue higher education.

The benefits are clear: students who engage in music and art education exhibit better cognitive development, improved emotional intelligence, and enhanced social skills. These subjects foster an understanding of cultural diversity and individual expression, which are crucial in today’s global society.

Every child deserves the chance to explore and unlock their creative potential, regardless of their socio-economic background. By making music and art compulsory and freely accessible within state schools, we ensure equal opportunities for all students to benefit from these nurturing forms of education.

We propose that state education authorities allocate sufficient funding to maintain Music and Art programs as mandatory parts of the curriculum, and also supports children outside of that curriculum, in forest school settings for example. This will require the hiring of qualified educators, provision of necessary materials, and adequate facilities to support these classes.

We also propose that instruments be provided for children whose families cannot afford them, with home tuition if necessary. It is not only in school that we learn, and exams are not the only goal of a Musical or Art  education. Outdoor and indoor events in appropriate settings where children can perform and exhibit are also important.  

Let us come together to advocate for a future where all children can enjoy the transformative experiences that music and art offer, not just the few who can afford private lessons.

Please sign this petition to urge the government and educational bodies to recognize the importance of music and art in every child's development and to make these subjects compulsory, free, and universally accessible in all state schools. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of countless children and the cultural richness of our communities.