Music Education: State Schools

Lord Berkeley of Knighton Excerpts

Tuesday 24th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Berkeley of Knighton (CB)]

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Keeley, on securing this vital debate, and I am delighted to precede the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Debbonaire. When she was in the other place, the musical world was thrilled to have a former orchestral player in such an important position. I still enjoy seeing the cello case come down the Corridor, with the noble Baroness in close attendance. I am sure that she appreciates, all too significantly, the power of taking music into schools.

Yesterday, I recorded a conversation with the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, who said that her success in turning around failing schools was hugely due to music. What do we need to achieve that? We need an inspiring and passionate teacher and the opportunity to experience and perform music. Rachel mentioned the visit of a singer who left the children agog with wonder as she rose through the stratosphere with the famous aria from Puccini’s “La rondine”. As we heard, orchestral and operatic visits to schools are absolutely vital.

In light of the Oral Question yesterday from the noble Lord, Lord Brennan, about aid to live music, I have a suggestion for the Government: subsidise more visits to schools; up the number of peripatetic teachers; make sure that the hubs understand the policies and rationale behind the decisions; and do not tie them up in red tape and make them endlessly fill in forms about compliance.

I hope that Becky Francis will put creativity back in schools. I would like to see music back on the curriculum —that would make such a statement. Most importantly, more vital still, let us give children who are not advantaged the ability to listen to and make music. Surely that would be a natural step for a Labour Government, in relation to which the noble Baroness, Lady Debbonaire, is such a distinguished party member.