More than half of state secondaries now don't have songs in assembly - because pupils think it's 'not cool'
A survey of 10,000 teachers found 57 per cent of those in state secondaries said their pupils never sang together in assembly.
By ELEANOR HARDING, EDUCATION EDITOR
Published: 15:39 GMT, 31 December 2025 | Updated: 16:13 GMT, 31 December 2025
More than half of state secondaries now do not have songs in assembly because pupils think it is ‘not cool’, research suggests.
A survey of 10,000 teachers found 57 per cent of those in state secondaries said their pupils never sang together in assembly.
Meanwhile, just over a third – 36 per cent – reported having no choir.
The poll, by Teacher Tapp, found state school pupils appear to be missing out more that their privately educated counterparts.
Only 13 per cent of respondents in private secondaries said their pupils never sang in assembly, while only 8 per cent said there was no choir.
In addition, 77 per cent of private secondary teachers said their school had more than one choir, compared to 27 per cent of their state counterparts.
However, the problem appears to be isolated at secondary level, with 96 per cent of primary teachers saying they still sang in assembly.
Jackie Bowen, head teacher at The East Manchester Academy, told the BBC that while her school does have a choir, the wider trend may be due to pupils feeling ‘embarrassed’ and that ‘it's not cool to sing’.
More than half of state secondaries now do not have songs in assembly because pupils think it is 'not cool', research suggests (file picture)
Others said it may also be down to a lack of focus on music in schools, with a 25 per cent drop in pupils studying GCSE music over the last 15 years.
James Manwaring, president of the Music Teachers Association – which represents music teachers across both state and private schools – said every school should have a choir.
He added: ‘All you need is a room and you need someone to lead it.’
It comes amid a debate over whether schools should continue to promote Christian songs in assemblies.
In the 1980s, classics such as Lord of the Dance and All Things Bright and Beautiful were common features in many schools.
Legally, schools are still obliged to provide an act of ‘collective worship’ that is ‘broadly Christian’ every day – although many opt out or simply ignore this.
In 2022, a number of teaching leaders called for the requirement to be dropped, calling it ‘archaic’ due to the fall in the popularity of Christianity.
The 2021 census revealed that for the first time fewer than half the population in England and Wales described themselves as Christian, while 37 per cent said they had ‘no religion’.
A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We are committed to ensuring art, music and drama are no longer the preserve of a privileged few.
'That’s why we are investing millions to support schools to invest in instruments and equipment and to support high quality music teaching through our Music Hubs. Our Music Opportunities Pilot programme also provides support for disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs to learn an instrument or sing.