I reckon that is about £2 per pupil, and wonder whether the money is ring-fenced at all. Deduct admin costs, is this a one-off or an annual amount... anyone else think this is just a window dressing exercise?

I like the idea though, and I too have fond memories of "Singing Together".

Singing the songs you and your mates choose is important, but many pupils will not hear new songs, and not all the others will hear the same new songs. A new songbook for all may offer a degree of coherence to the mixture. I would favour some time devoted to communal stuff [one or more books involved] with other time assigned to a more free-range "sing your choice" approach.

As for the PC mob taking control fear not, the rot is already far more deep-seated than mere national directives could make it.