Every copy counts!

Aileen Douthwaite explores the Schools Printed Music Licence

Did you know that all state schools in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland have access to a Schools Printed Music Licence (SPML), fully funded by the Scottish Government, Department for Education or Education Authority in Northern Ireland? This licence allows schools to legally photocopy, scan, print, and arrange sheet music for use in the classroom. It’s an invaluable tool for British teachers, enabling them to deliver music education on limited budgets without worrying about copyright restrictions.

The SPML simplifies copyright compliance for schools by covering permissions from a wide range of publishers across the UK. This means you no longer need to seek individual permissions for copying or arranging music used in your curriculum. It’s already paid for—all you need to do is register on the PMLL portal to take advantage of the licence.

But why is reporting so important? By logging your sheet music copies, you ensure that composers and songwriters are paid fairly for their work, and publishers understand which music is popular, allowing them to commission more resources tailored to teachers’ needs. While reporting what you are copying is a legal copyright requirement, it’s also your opportunity to shape the future of music education publications.

We know that teachers are busy, so we’ve worked hard to make the reporting process as simple as possible. The PMLL portal offers several options to suit your workflow, whether you prefer to upload data termly or keep track throughout the year and upload annually. We’ve even created downloadable templates to help you gather the necessary information quickly and efficiently that you can find on our Every Copy Counts website.

What do you need to report?

Printed publications: Include the title of the work, the book title, the composer or arranger, and the music publisher.

Digital downloads: Add the source website alongside the title, composer or arranger, and publisher.

How do you report?

Log in to the PMLL portal and register your school if you haven’t already—it only takes a couple of minutes. Use our templates to collect the required data. Upload your data termly or at the end of the academic year before the June deadline. Uploading data is quick and user-friendly, but if you have any questions or run into challenges, our team is here to help.

We have been using the PMLL portal to submit our data in school. It is quick and easy to use and has highlighted how important it is that musicians are rightly paid for their work.

Hannah Massett Music Lead, Birkby Junior School.

When you report your sheet music copies, you’re not just fulfilling a legal requirement—you’re making a tangible impact on the music industry in the UK.

We spoke with Paul Wood and Mark Wilson, the talented composers behind the Stringtastic beginner string series. Both experienced music teachers, Paul and Mark initially composed music to fill a gap they encountered in their own teaching—a need for engaging, tailored material that wasn’t readily available. They shared valuable insights into how reporting photocopied sheet music directly impacts their ability to continue creating resources that benefit educators and students.

“It’s interesting the number of pictures and videos we’ve been sent of people enjoying our books that we can see photocopies in that aren’t actually registered. And the reason we know that is when we get our royalty cheques; it says how many photocopies have been reported. Apparently, there are no photocopies of Stringtastic out there, but we know there are quite a lot.” – Paul Wood, co-composer of Stringtastic.

Imagine your favourite classroom resource — a songbook or choral arrangement — that gets used year after year. The composer of that resource relies on royalties to make a living, and those royalties are calculated based on the data you provide. Without accurate reporting, composers may not receive the recognition or income they deserve.

When publishers know which pieces are popular, they’re more likely to commission similar works. This means more resources tailored to your needs as a teacher. Without this data, publishers are left in the dark, and the risk of fewer classroom-friendly resources becomes a reality. “The difference it could make to materials being published is so important” - Mark Wilson, cocomposer of Stringtastic.

As a teacher, you have the unique ability to inspire the composers, songwriters, and musicians of tomorrow. By ensuring the music you copy is reported, you’re setting an example of respect for intellectual property and supporting a sustainable future for the music industry. One day, the students you have inspired to pursue music may find themselves in the same position as today’s composers, relying on this system to support their careers.

Our School Outreach Officers are here to support you in making the most of the SPML. They offer free advice, training, and support sessions tailored to your school’s needs. Whether you have questions about the reporting process or want help integrating it into your existing workflow, they’re just an email away.

If you are working in education in the UK you can reach out to us with any questions. We’re here to help.

Submitting data through the portal has been a simple and effective way for our school to support the musicians who enrich our students' education.

Tom Mosley Assistant Headteacher Farnley Tyas First School.

We developed the Every Copy Counts campaign in the UK to help raise awareness within schools. The associated website, headed by our mascot Copycat, is your one-stop shop for everything related to the SPML.

Visit www.everycopycounts.co.uk to explore these resources and start your reporting journey today.