Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Welsh Government’s National Plan for Music Education places equity, diversity and inclusion at its core, committing to ensuring that all children and young people — regardless of background, identity, or Additional Learning Needs (ALN) — can access meaningful, high‑quality musical opportunities. The Plan highlights the need to remove historic barriers such as cost, geographical inequality, and limited diversity of provision, and introduces EDI‑focused programmes to widen participation. It emphasises improving access to instruments, tuition and pathways; increasing representation within the music education workforce; and embedding inclusive practices that support learners with ALN through differentiated, person‑centred approaches and appropriate provision within mainstream settings.

Notes on Inclusion – Empowering Educators

In 2023, NMS Wales commissioned Dr Beth Pickard from University of South Wales to undertake research into the availability and quality of training for practitioners working in music education with children and young people who have Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and/or disabilities in Wales. The study found that training was inconsistent, limited, and unevenly advertised, creating gaps in practitioner confidence and expertise. Key barriers included insufficient training in inclusive pedagogies, limited access to adaptive instruments and resources, and lack of coordinated professional development. The study called for a more coherent, accessible training infrastructure, stronger collaboration across organisations, and a greater emphasis on disability-informed practice to ensure equitable music-making opportunities for all learners.

Following the publication of this report Dr Pickard worked with Music Masters to create a bespoke, free, training module for musicians and music teachers in Wales. Grounded in theory, the course delivers practical workshops exploring differentiation, inclusion by design, adapted instruments and notation. 

In Spring 2024, two 2 day training courses were hosted at Bodnant Gardens in North Wales and at yMA, Pontypridd, and were open to music educators working in Wales.  Alex Lupo, a neurodivergent musician with over 20 years of experience as a performer, composer and producer, worked alongside Dr Pickard and Katrina Damigos from Music Masters to share his lived experience of disabling barriers. The session also allowed participants to workshop examples from practice so that they went away with a toolkit of creative approaches.   

For further information about how you can apply for a place on our free training course, please email nmspost@wlga.gov.uk