ABRSM Chief Executive Mick Elliott has been appointed to the new Department for Education Expert Panel which will develop the new model music curriculum for schools in England.Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb MP and the Department for Education announced the music curriculum Expert Panel on Friday 11 January.The announcement includes £1.3million of additional funding for Music Education Hubs in England and a commitment to the refreshment of the National Music Education Plan for the next ten years.The new curriculum will be developed by a group of teachers, education leaders and musicians and will be published in summer 2019. It will provide schools with a sequenced and structured template curriculum for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.Minister for Schools Standards Nick Gibb MP said: “Having the opportunity to study and explore music isn’t a privilege, it’s a vital part of a broad and balanced curriculum – and that’s why I’m determined that all pupils should have access to a world class music education.”^{Pictured: ABRSM Chief Executive Mick Elliott, behind the piano on the left, next to Minister Nick Gibb MP at Park Lane Primary School for the 2018 Classical 100 winning challenge presentation}ABRSM Chief Executive Mick Elliott welcomed the announcement: “Music is at the heart of the curriculum of primary and secondary schools throughout the country, where its contribution to the overall academic, educational and social achievement of thousands of children and young people, and to their wellbeing, is greatly valued.“Many of these schools, often with the support of Music Education Hubs in England, have developed excellent music provision, tailored to the needs of the pupils they serve, and to the strengths and specialisms of the workforce and expertise they have access to.“However, other schools tell us that they would welcome support in their statutory task of delivering a rich, diverse and engaging music curriculum. Support in the form of guidance on pedagogy, on content and resources, and on expected levels of attainment, all of which could helpfully be focussed through a new model music curriculum. “I therefore applaud the Minister and his Department for their commitment to initiating this project, and am pleased to commit ABRSM, with its mission of inspiring musical achievement for all, to playing its part in assisting the Expert Panel in its task.” ^{Pictured: Lincoln Abbotts, ABRSM Executive Director conducting a music masterclass at the Classical 100 Challenge winning school assembly with Minister Nick Gibb MP seated first left next to ABRSM Chief Executive Mick Elliott}The panel will start work immediately and aims to publish the model music curriculum on www.GOV.UK by the summer this year.More information on the Department for Education Music Curriculum Expert Panel announcement and the other members appointed here: www.gov.uk/government/news/government-backs-young-musicians