The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) has condemned the proposals for GCSE reform.

The society claims the proposals - which will increase pressure on pupils to study the six areas of maths, English, sciences, languages and humanities with no creative subjects - threatens “to damage not just our children’s education but also our economy.”

Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the ISM, said:

"This short sighted, wholesale attack on secondary music education will emasculate not only our world class music education ...