Birmingham’s musical future in safe hands thanks to the next generation of rock stars
Thousands of primary school children across Birmingham are discovering their musical skills thanks to taking part in the UK’s biggest band-based music education programme, which prioritises group learning, an accessible music curriculum and regular performance opportunities.
More than 1,400 children in Birmingham are taking part in Rocksteady’s weekly in-school band lessons, where children are taught to play and perform music in their very own band - with termly whole-school concerts bringing friends and family together to see their musical progress in action and celebrate their achievements.
Currently in Birmingham there are 56 primary schools involved in the programme, with 142 children taking part through fully funded bursary places – ensuring more children who want to learn music can get involved for free.
Teachers say the impact is clear: children are growing in confidence, working together as bands, and feeling proud of what they can achieve both on stage and in the classroom.
These day-to-day experiences reflect Rocksteady’s wider national findings, showing how band-based music can transform children’s engagement in school life. Nationally, pupils’ excitement about going to school jumps from 64% on a normal day to 97% on a Rocksteady day, and 40% of teachers report attendance improvements for pupils who previously struggled thanks to being enrolled in Rocksteady.
The effect is even more pronounced for children with special educational needs and disabilities, whose excitement for being at school rises from 34% to 96% on their band lesson day.
Rocksteady’s large-scale research, which gathered insights from 9,681 children, teachers and parents - making it one of the largest studies into primary music education ever recorded - also found that 88% of teachers report being in Rocksteady supports children’s wider academic progress, while 95% say it boosts parental engagement with their school - benefits already echoed by teachers in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.
Park Hill Primary School Music Lead, Charlotte, said:
“We’ve found that since engaging in, and being excited for their Rocksteady lessons, children come back with great focus and determination to learn. Some of our children have boosted their academic successes since being part of Rocksteady, and we’re so proud of them for this.
“It's boosted children whose academic abilities may be lower than their musical ability, and it's given them a spotlight to flourish in their interest area."
For local Band Leader, Ellena Stirling, who teaches in schools across Birmingham, seeing children realise what they’re capable of is the best part of the job:
“Seeing the children’s confidence grow and the relationships that are built as they help each other as band mates, while developing a passion for music and performing, is a pleasure to witness and be a part of."
Last year, Rocksteady opened its new office base in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, with the plan to create 100 music education jobs over the next three years. This new hub is already playing a pivotal role in supporting Rocksteady's mission to remove barriers to music education for as many children as possible.
As more pupils pick up instruments and perform together, local schools are helping spark a new generation of young musicians - meaning Birmingham’s rich musical history and heritage is in safe hands!