The proposals could disrupt established routes into some higher education programmes like music production. Photo credit: Shutterstock
The Government has begun its reform of technical education, centring on its new T level qualifications, which are vocational alternatives to A levels. Three T level pathways have already been rolled out with more planned over the next few years.
The MU is concerned that the proposed range of T levels does not include music. Worse, we note that many existing post-16 technical qualifications that do include music (e.g. BTECs) risk being phased out or defunded to make way for T levels. This could disrupt established routes into some higher education programmes like music production.
The proposals also assume that students can pursue A level music if other qualifications are withdrawn. In fact, the Government’s policy of pushing schools towards core academic subjects means that fewer GCSE and A level music courses are available than ever. There are many other problematic aspects to the proposals, which are lengthy and complex.
The Government has extended the latest consultation on these reforms until 31 January, and we encourage MU members to respond by this deadline. You can find introductory information about T levels on the Government’s website and the portal for submitting your consultation response on the Government education pages (this page also includes a link to the consultation document, which contains the questions you will be asked to respond to).
The MU has responded in full to the consultation and we are happy to share our response notes with anyone who would like to use them as a basis for their own response. If you would like this document, please email teachers@theMU.org.