The number of students learning an instrument has increased by almost 30,000 since the abolition of fees for music lessons in schools.
A new report shows that annual investment of up to £12 million from the Scottish Government to fund free instrumental music tuition has seen participants increase to more than 70,000 since 2021.
Those involved in Scotland’s Instrumental Music Service believed playing a musical instrument supported better attendance, attainment and behaviour in schools.
The We Make Music Now research findings highlights:
an increase in instrumental music learners from 41,594 in 2020-21 to 70,075 in 2024-25 – around 10.1% of the eligible school roll
highest participation between Primary 5 and S1 pupils in many areas, often attributed to large-scale music-making projects
playing an instrument helped young people with social anxiety and other mental health challenges
music departments are viewed as a “safe space” by learners, where they feel supported within school
The Scottish Government funds Grant Aided Schools and all 32 local authorities to support free instrument tuition. The report identified some challenges, including waiting lists in certain local authority areas, lower representation from more deprived areas and fewer performance opportunities for young musicians in rural areas.
Education and Culture Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “The Scottish Government has transformed instrumental music tuition in Scotland’s schools by funding councils to eradicate unfair charges.
“All children should have the opportunity to take part in instrumental music as a core element of education, without being limited by a family’s ability to pay.
“This report reveals the wide-ranging benefits of providing opportunities to all – not only in developing new skills but in growing confidence, supporting mental health and creating a sense of belonging.
“We will continue to work with COSLA and the music education sector to ensure an inclusive approach to music tuition that addresses potential barriers to participation.”
Chair of the Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG) Board Ian Mills said: “The We Make Music Now research demonstrates the initial successes of the commitment made to ensure the provision of free instrumental music instruction in schools.
“As well as the successes, there are undoubted challenges and areas for growth raised in the work.
“MEPG looks forward to supporting local authority music services and the Scottish Government in considering the recommendations made in the report to ensure that pupils are gaining maximum benefit from the government’s investment in music.”
Global pop superstar and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran wowed children and young people in North Edinburgh today with a surprise visit to local music initiative, Tinderbox Collective.
The secret visit formed part of the launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, a new music education initiative setting out to support and develop young talent and make music accessible to all.
During his visit, EdSheeran stunned a local youth club at Muirhouse Library, where he joined a group of young people trying out different instruments, and chatted to them about his journey, offering tips to aspiring musicians.
Maxwell from Craigroyston High School said: ““We were absolutely shocked. I’ve always admired Ed Sheeran and the way he sings and his music. I want to do music and now I feel even more motivated.”
A member of the Tinderbox Collective, Anno said: “Unbelievable. I really like Ed and I listen to his music. Just to see him right now is amazing. Crazy. Inspiring.”
Muirhouse Library was the first of Scotland’s “We Make Music Instrument Libraries”– an initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries so people can borrow them for free, just like taking out a book.
The initiative was established by Tinderbox Collective in partnership with Scotland’s Music Education Partnership Group and has since spread to over 30 libraries in 12 local authorities across Scotland.
The ambition to spread this as widely as possible across the country continues, and other libraries or library services interested in joining this programme and offering instruments as part of their service should get in touch.
Ed then joined a 100-piece choir at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre made up of pupils from Forthview Primary School, Craigroyston Primary School, Pirniehall Primary School, St David’s RC Primary School and Craigroyston High School, and performed his hit single ‘Bad Habits’ with young rappers, singers and musicians from Tinderbox’s wider music programme.
Rhian from Craigroyston High School said: “Singing with him is something we’ll always remember.”
Lily from Pirniehall Primary Schooladded: “He came in and we all started screaming and there were happy tears.”
The visit to Edinburgh marked the official launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, an initiative designed to support youth music education across the UK through grant-making, raising awareness, and fostering collaborations.
Speaking about the foundation, Ed Sheeran said:“Music education has shaped who I am. I’ve always enjoyed playing music, and it’s led to some of the best moments of my life.”
As one of the first organisations across the UK to benefit, the foundation will support Tinderbox’s “Live in Libraries” tour to help kickstart Instrument Libraries around the UK, as well as elements of its signature programmes including its multi-genre orchestra, music technology lab and youth music hub.
Tinderbox Collective is a local charity offering a vibrant and inclusive space for young musicians who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. From creative youth clubs filled with instruments, bands, song-writers and game design, to their flagship 20-piece Tinderbox Orchestra, their work builds a strong sense of community that has a profound impact on the lives of budding young artists.
Ed Sheeran’s visit underscores the importance of music education and the positive impact of making it accessible to all. In Scotland, a successful campaign to make instrumental tuition in schools free across the country was adopted by all parties in the last Scottish elections, and research from “What’s Going on Now” – a report on youth music in Scotland – has shown that over 100,000 more young people would take up opportunities to learn music if the service was expanded.
Ed Sheeran added: “It is so important to have brilliant music education both in and out of school. It’s great to hear that music tuition is now free in all schools in Scotland, but it is not reaching everyone and we need to do everything we can to make sure it is accessible and inspiring for all children and young people.”
Jack Nissan, Director of Tinderbox Collective, said: “Ed’s visit was so inspiring for all the young musicians in Tinderbox and it’s fantastic to have him advocate for music education and help build links with the wider music industry.
“We need to work together across schools, the community and the industry to fill music education with as much energy, diversity and creativity as possible, and to make sure that it is accessible, relevant and inspiring for everyone.”
Councillor Joan Griffiths, education, children and families convenor at the City of Edinburgh Council said: “We are committed to nurturing and encouraging local music talent in our city.
“In Edinburgh around 5,000 pupils currently receive free instrumental music tuition, with over 19,000 receiving free whole class music through the Youth Music Initiative. There is always more that can be done to make learning an instrument and access to music education more inclusive.
“Programmes run by Tinderbox Collective open up musical opportunities for youngsters who may not otherwise have had the chance, bringing young people and the wider community together.
“It’s fantastic to see Ed’s commitment to using his platform to champion accessibility to music and I have no doubt that he will have inspired all those he has met in Edinburgh.”
Mae Murray from Scotland’s Music Education Partnership Group said: “It is amazing to have Ed Sheeran visit young people in Scotland and help advocate for music education here.
“In 2021 we won a campaign to make music tuition free in all Scottish schools, but we still don’t reach all of Scotland’s young people, and we need more investment both in school and in the community to ensure that music is accessible to everyone.”
Fees for children learning a musical instrument at school will be removed thanks to more than £7 million funding from the Scottish Government.
Councils will also receive £6 million to waive core curriculum charges which can be levied on families for things including materials for home economics or theatre trips associated with drama qualifications.
The agreement with COSLA covers the 2021-22 academic year and marks the delivery of two further commitments for the first 100 days of this Government.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “My priority is to ensure the best possible outcomes for all of Scotland’s children and young people, whatever their background.
“All children should have the best start in life and the ability to take part in core elements of education should never be limited by a child’s ability to pay.
“Today’s announcement means families will not see bills for musical tuition or core curriculum activities in the new school year. I will continue to work with COSLA and local authorities to develop a sustainable and funded model for future years.”
COSLA Children and Young People spokesperson Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: “Councils recognise the importance of instrumental music tuition for the learning and development of our children and young people.
“Where fees were in place for tuition this is due to a range of local pressures on core council budgets. The one year funding package agreed between COSLA Leaders and Scottish Government will allow for the removal of fees in the coming academic year and the maintenance of existing levels of provision, so that fees and charges are not a barrier to learning an instrument.
“We welcome the commitment from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to work with COSLA and partners in the sector to consider the intent, impact, and broader implications of this Scottish Government policy intervention and to develop a model for the long-term sustainability of instrumental music tuition services across Scotland which must include sustainable funding arrangements for all councils.”
Music provision in schools faces ‘stark challenges’
The EIS has published a new briefing highlighting the stark challenges facing instrumental music provision in Scotland’s schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EIS recently surveyed its Instrumental Music Teachers (IMTs) across Scotland, and their responses have been incorporated into the new briefing paper (copy attached).
The key issues identified include:
Inconsistent approaches in the delivery of Instrumental Music Tuition across Scotland, with IMTs in some areas unable to return safely to school and having to adapt and develop new approaches for practical online teaching – often with insufficient resources and support.
The damaging impact of the pandemic on young people’s access to music tuition, particularly those currently studying for SQA qualifications and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Legitimate fears that any reduction in provision could lead to fewer students learning music, with serious implications for the future of instrumental music service and for IMT jobs.
There are also serious concerns that the growing practice of charging for Instrumental Music Tuition is having a direct impact on pupil participation and on equity of provision.
27 local authorities have now introduced some form of charging regime, through the introduction of tuition fees, instrument hire charges or a combination of both, leaving only 5 Councils across Scotland, where there are no costs associated with access to Instrumental Music Tuition.
Even more worrying is the dramatic increase in the level of charging which we have seen in recent years. In some areas of Scotland, annual charges are now in excess of £300 per pupil, with charges reaching £524 per annum in one authority.
The result is that while non-charging local authorities have seen an increase in pupil numbers of 31.4% since 2012/13, charging authorities have had an overall decline of 12.7% in pupil numbers over the same period.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “Scotland is rapidly moving towards a scenario where only children from well-off families can learn to play an instrument.
“This is unjust and unacceptable. We must reverse the trend of charging to allow free access to music education for all, particularly those for whom the poverty-related attainment gap has widened as a result of COVID-19.”
