The Education Endowment Foundation recently produced a rapid evidence assessment which included a stark warning about the impact of school closures on the attainment gap between economically advantaged and disadvantaged children. In this unique situation, with the need to balance academic progress with higher than usual support for wellbeing for children due to the impact of coronavirus, the argument for music is strong. We need to create interventions that are about more than attainment alone.

Research has shown that literacy and maths are connected with and positively affected by learning music. It has also demonstrated the positive impact of participation in the arts on wellbeing and physical and mental health. By continuing to bring our programme of music lessons to our partner schools and having creativity at the heart of our school communities, we can give children a boost to their personal and academic development, thereby leveling the playing field.