£6.82m to support music and arts in new Welsh curriculum

The Welsh Government has announced £6.82m in funding to provide additional music resources to schools.

The announcement supports the Welsh Government’s commitment to set up a national music service.  

An additional £3m has also been announced by the Minister to extend the successful Creative Learning through the Arts (CLTA) programme for a further three years. The Arts Council for Wales will match-fund the investment to £6m.  

The CLTA programme, which has been in place since 2015, encourages and develops creative approaches to learning and teaching.

More than a third of schools in Wales have already participated in the Lead Creative Schools scheme, and these schools will be encouraged to work with and support schools that are new to the programme to extend access to creative learning.

Musical instruments will be distributed, in the first instance, to learners who are less likely to already have access to them, such as those eligible for free school meals.

Minister for Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles said: "We know that music and creativity can provide benefits to young people in all aspects of their learning, and access to this shouldn’t be determined by your background.

"I’m pleased to announce this funding to provide music resources to support the new curriculum, and to extend the Creative Learning through the Arts programme for another three years, and I’m committed to making sure that all learners have access to these opportunities within schools."