An open letter from Ed Sheeran calling on the federal government to supply quick and long-term funding for music schooling is being credited with spurring on a significant change to the UK’s curriculum.
In March, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter – one in every of Britain’s most profitable music exports – warned that studying to play devices and carry out onstage had grow to be a “luxurious not each youngster can afford”.
Backed by fellow stars together with Harry Kinds, Stormzy and Elton John, the letter appealed for a £250m music schooling package deal to assist restore “a long time of dismantling music”.
The federal government at present introduced the primary adjustments to the UK curriculum in over a decade, with Sheeran’s letter praised by Prime Minister Keir Starmer for bolstering Labour’s resolution over music and humanities classes.
Bridget Phillipson, secretary of state for schooling, referenced Sheeran in her curriculum evaluate speech, stating: “… our inventive industries are a supply of such nationwide pleasure. However as Ed Sheeran stated so powerfully, we will’t proceed to guide on the world stage and not using a broad base in our colleges at dwelling.
“The humanities needs to be for all, not the fortunate few… we’ll revitalise arts schooling – placing it again on the coronary heart of a wealthy and broad curriculum.”
The unconventional shift will be certain that music and humanities will now be out there to all youngsters to check in school, whereas the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) measure – which was broadly condemned for putting the next worth on “tutorial” topics similar to maths and science over the humanities – is being eliminated.
Youngsters will now be inspired to check a better breadth of GCSE topics, together with music and the humanities – a key ask raised in Sheeran’s letter.
Starmer has additionally written a proper response to Sheeran, praising him for sending the “highly effective message” that “creativity issues”.
“I wished you to know that your voice has been heard,” he instructed the singer-songwriter. “The evaluate locations inventive topics firmly on the centre. We’re revitalising arts schooling, strengthening music and drama, and launching a brand new Nationwide Centre for Arts and Music Training to help academics and lift requirements.
“Studying music in school made an enormous distinction to my life. We’ll make sure that each youngster has entry to these experiences – from arts and tradition to nature and civic engagement – in order that creativity isn’t a privilege, however a proper.”
In his open letter, Sheeran made a number of compelling arguments for the necessity for higher music schooling funding within the UK – together with a damning report from 2024, the primary 12 months in over 20 years and not using a UK world high 10 single or album within the total charts.
It was in stark distinction to 2017, when Sheeran’s album Divide grew to become the biggest-selling of the 12 months worldwide and was credited with serving to to propel a report seven per cent progress in export revenues of British music.
Responding to the curriculum information, Sheeran stated in a press release: “With the assistance of the letter and everybody who signed it, I’m comfortable to say that a few of the key factors we raised have been recognised by the federal government at present, marking the primary change to the music curriculum in over 10 years.
“This includes diversifying the music genres taught in colleges and eradicating outdated techniques that cease youngsters from learning music and the humanities as a part of their faculty day. These adjustments give younger individuals hope and the chance to check music.”
He added: “With out the encouragement I acquired in class, particularly from my music trainer, I wouldn’t be a musician at present, and I do know so lots of my friends really feel the identical. My music schooling went past studying and enjoying. It helped me discover confidence in myself, and music itself was – and nonetheless is – so essential for my psychological well being.”
Sheeran stated there was extra work to be completed to help music schooling within the UK, however believed the federal government’s resolution was “a step in the fitting course”.
