Why is whole-school singing declining in English secondary schools?

Many secondary students feel embarrassed or that singing isn't 'cool' compared to primary school, leading to a lack of participation in school assemblies.

What is the impact of the English Baccalaureate on music education?

The English Baccalaureate, introduced in 2010, assessed schools on core academic subjects, making it less incentivized for schools to prioritize arts subjects like music.

What is the government doing to improve music teaching in schools?

The government is investing millions in musical instruments and teaching, and updating the curriculum to encourage more students to study music and creative subjects.

Home / Education / School Choirs Vanish: Music Education Crisis Unfolds

School Choirs Vanish: Music Education Crisis Unfolds

22 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Over half of secondary school teachers report no whole-school singing.
GCSE music study dropped by 25% over the last fifteen years.
Music teachers are 35% short of the government's trainee target.

School Choirs Vanish: Music Education Crisis Unfolds

Singing in schools, once a common occurrence, has diminished significantly, particularly in secondary education. Data indicates that over half of state secondary school teachers observe no whole-school singing during assemblies, a stark contrast to primary schools. This decline mirrors a broader trend where GCSE music participation has dropped by 25% over the last fifteen years, although recent statistics show a slight upturn.

Music educators are advocating for every school to reinstate choirs to combat this decline and foster a love for music. While the government is investing in music education and curriculum changes to promote creative subjects, a substantial gap remains in staffing. The current number of trainee music teachers falls 35% short of the government's target, posing a challenge to sustaining quality music instruction.