Ed Sheeran speaks out after government backs his music curriculum plans: ‘Today is a good day’
The government has announced plans to scrap the EBacc measure and allow greater promotion of arts subjects.
By Nick Reilly
Ed Sheeran has welcomed new plans from the government to take up his call to improve music education in schools.
The UK government today announced details of the first major update to the music curriculum in England in over a decade. It comes after Sheeran drafted an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in March.
The document, co-signed by the likes of Stormzy and Elton John, urged the PM to commit £250million towards music education.
Today’s announcement directly tackles a part of the letter which called for the removal of the EBacc measure, to encourage students to study a greater breadth of GCSE subjects, including music and the arts. Under current EBacc plans, arts subjects are not core subjects, which was seen as putting students off a potential career in the arts. The government now says it will support music education and ensure it is accessible to all children.
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, has referenced the musician in her curriculum review speech: “Our creative industries are a source of such national pride. 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.”
Sheeran said: “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.
“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.”
He continued: “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.”
Sheeran then reflected on “the encouragement I received in school, especially from my music teacher” and how it had benefitted his career.
“I wouldn’t be a musician today, and I know so many of my peers feel the same,” he wrote. “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.”
Sheeran concluded: “Thank you so much to everyone who signed and supported the letter. Today is a good day. Ed x.”