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What is Inclusion and who is it for?


Exploring what inclusion means and what inclusion looks like in different settings has been a key strand of the OFM programme. 

The programme focused primarily on increasing inclusion for children and young people with SEND and/or living in areas of economic deprivation, but the scope of the work grew to consider a broader definition of ‘inclusion’, to include increasing access, engagement and progression for young people who may experience a range of barriers to participation; genre diversity; and effective inclusive approaches for ‘mainstream’ settings. 

Fundamentally, we believe that effective inclusive practice benefits everyone.  

Our Future Music also aligns with the National Plan for Music Education (2022), in which ‘inclusion’ is a strategic function for Music Hubs. The 3 goals of the NPME are:

  1. All children and young people receive a high-quality music education in the early years and in schools.
  2. All music educators work in partnership, with children and young people’s needs and interests at their heart.
  3. All children and young people with musical interests and talents have the opportunity to progress, including professionally.

The refreshed National Plan for Music Education: Equity, diversity, and inclusion

Blog by Sharon Jagdev Powell MEC

Read - PDF (177 KB)

Episode 2: What is Inclusion Really?

We increasingly hear this term 'inclusive music', but what does it really mean, who is it for, and what does it look like in practice? In this episode, Inclusion Manager at Kent Music Luke Crook talks to music leaders working in inclusive settings about their interpretation and practice.

Participants have fun with instruments
Participants have fun with instruments
Participants have fun with instruments
“Inclusion isn’t something that happens separately - it needs to be ingrained and at the heart of music education, creativity and across everything that we do every day.”
Creative practitioner