All schools are now expected to have a School Music Development Plan (SMDP) that outlines how they intend to deliver high-quality music provision in line with the National Plan for Music Education and the Model Music Curriculum. These plans are a valuable tool for helping schools reflect on their current music offer, set priorities for improvement, and ensure all pupils have access to a broad, rich, and progressive music education.
What are schools required to publish?
As part of government guidance, all schools must publish a summary of their School Music Development Plan on their website. This summary should include:
- Your school’s vision for music education
- A brief overview of current provision
- Priorities for development
- How your school will work in partnership with your local music service
View the School Music Development Plan Summary Template and official DfE guidance
What format?
Schools are welcome to provide or write their School Music Development Plan in whatever format they feel is most appropriate. Even if your school or multi-academy trust requires you to follow a specific format for your development planning, we encourage you to explore the DfE summary template and our Nottingham Music Service template (below) to support wider reflection on your school’s music provision.
The purpose of these templates is not to prescribe a structure, but to prompt deeper thinking about your music offer and how it supports high-quality, inclusive progression for all students, including:
- Breadth and depth of your music curriculum
- Opportunities for performance, composition, and progression
- Inclusivity and representation in your offer
- Extra-curricular provision and ensemble opportunities
- Links to national expectations outlined in the Model Music Curriculum and National Plan for Music Education
We hope the prompts within these documents will support music leads and SLT in shaping a more strategic and impactful approach to music in your school—whether you use the template itself or not.
What’s the difference between the template and the actual plan?
The summary template is a one-page document for publishing on your school website. Your full School Music Development Plan should be a working document that supports long-term planning, self-evaluation, and development of music provision across the whole school.
Where do I start?
If you’re unsure of your school’s music strengths or development priorities, we recommend completing a Music Provision Audit first. This will help you clearly identify what’s working well and where further support or improvement is needed.
- Download Music Provision Audit Template – Primary
- Download Music Provision Audit Template – Secondary
Need support?
Nottingham Music Service offers free consultancy to all city schools to support the development, review, and implementation of your School Music Development Plan. Our consultancy meetings will help you:
- Review your current music provision
- Identify strengths and areas for development
- Develop and review your SMDP
- Stay informed about national music education policy and best practice
- For tailored support, contact: claire.nichols@nottinghammusichub.org.uk