Ed Sheeran and industry campaigners have helped influence the UK government to introduce the first major update to the music curriculum in England in more than 10 years.
It follows Sheeran’s open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in March this year.
Today, the government has announced new measures in their curriculum review, with one of those reflecting some of the asks raised in Sheeran’s letter: the removal of the EBacc measure, to encourage students to study a greater breadth of GCSE subjects including music and the arts, and the diversifying of genres in the music curriculum.
Starmer described Sheeran’s letter as “powerful”, alongside Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, who referenced the singer-songwriter in her curriculum review speech.
“Our creative industries are a source of such national pride,” she said. “But as Ed Sheeran said so powerfully, we can’t continue to lead on the world stage without a broad base in our schools at home. The arts should be for all, not the lucky few…we’ll revitalise arts education – putting it back at the heart of a rich and broad curriculum.”
Since launching the Ed Sheeran Foundation at the start of 2025, he has campaigned for accessible education for all young people.
His open letter to the Prime Minister was supported by 600-plus leading figures across the music and education industries including Harry Styles, Annie Lennox, Central Cee, Sleaford Mods and Stormzy. Sheeran called attention to the critical state of music education and urged the government to protect and expand its reach, in and out of schools.
These changes give young people hope and the opportunity to study music
Ed Sheeran
The letter also referenced the importance of investing and protecting the pipeline of future musical talent in the music industry – a sector that brings in £7.6 billion to the UK economy, according to the most recent report from UK Music.
Following the government announcement, Ed Sheeran welcomed the news and reiterated his thanks to those who signed and supported the letter.
“I set up the Ed Sheeran Foundation because every child deserves to have access to a meaningful music education, and the chance to experience the joy and confidence that musical expression can bring,” he said.
“Shortly after setting up my foundation, I wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister about the critical state of music education in the UK and the fact it was slipping through the cracks. The letter was backed by so many incredible people across the music industry and education who all said the same thing: music education matters. The Prime Minister replied, recognising the challenges and expressing his commitment to change.
“With the help of the letter and everyone who signed it, I’m happy to say that some of the key points we raised have been recognised by the government today, marking the first change to the music curriculum in over 10 years. This involves diversifying the music genres taught in schools and removing outdated systems that stop kids from studying music and the arts as part of their school day. These changes give young people hope and the opportunity to study music.
“Without the encouragement I received in school, especially from my music teacher, I wouldn’t be a musician today, and I know so many of my peers feel the same. My music education went beyond learning and playing. It helped me find confidence in myself, and music itself was – and still is – so important for my mental health.
“There’s a lot more to do to support music education, especially our music teachers, but this is a step in the right direction.”
PHOTO: Chloe Hashemi
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