(Re)conceptualising an integrated music education ecosystem in England

Bibliographic Data

ID22414615
AuthorsAdam Whittaker (0000-0003-1839-2228, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, corresponding author), Anthony Anderson (0000-0003-1423-2163, Birmingham City University), Victoria Kinsella (0000-0001-8931-9701, Birmingham City University), Martin Fautley (0000-0002-3157-4854, Birmingham City University)
Year2026
Volume43
Issue1
Pages32-45
Publication date2026-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Music Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-0517 • E-ISSN: 1469-2104
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0265051726100783
OpenAlexW7160852051
LanguageEN
References cited23

Conceptualising music education in England as an ecosystem was central to the 2022 National Plan for Music Education. Provision spans in-school and out-of-school settings, delivered by schools, Music Hubs, charities and specialist providers. Local specificities and a complex patchwork of providers mean that there are multiple different stakeholders in helping young people to develop musically. Drawing on a decade of research, this paper reconceptualises the ecosystem by centring the young person. The proposed model is intentionally open to critique to stimulate discussion and refinement within England and in international contexts with similarly complex, multi-provider music education systems worldwide.

Centring · Ecosystem · Music education · New england · Diverse Music Education Insights · Diverse Musicological Studies · Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies

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Open DOIOpen Access