Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of children who have and who have not been taught to read music by (1) age 11 and (2) age 16 in England.

In the current national curriculum, pupils should be taught to use and understand staff and other musical notations at key stage 2 from ages 7 to 11, and to use staff and other relevant notations appropriately and accurately at key stage 3 from ages 11 to 14. The department does not hold information on whether pupils are taught to read music but Ofsted’s most recent subject report, based on visits to 25 primary and 25 secondary schools, found that pupils do not consistently develop secure musical knowledge and skills over time, including in notation and reading music.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review published its final report on 5 November 2025. The government has issued a response to the report, setting out planned changes to the music curriculum to ensure pupils develop a strong foundation in the three pillars of musical understanding, technical, constructive and expressive, including how to read music. The first teaching of a refreshed curriculum will be September 2028, following planned consultation to launch in September.