Ed Sheeran wants to ensure school kids across the UK have access to music lessons, just like he did.
The superstar has shared an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a number of government officials, pointing out that “learning an instrument and getting up on stage, whether in school or a community club, is now a luxury not every child can afford.”
Taking to socials, he added, “We are at a critical point: a future of no music in state schools, no music teachers to teach, broken instruments and no grassroots venues. As a young music student and aspiring artist, I benefited from opportunities in and out of school to learn and grow. Unfortunately, after decades of defunding and de-prioritising, music is no longer a right for all children.”
Ed continued, “Music is key to the UK economy, wellbeing and mental health, communities and young people’s dreams. Talent is everywhere across the UK. I saw it when I visited cities across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. but not all young people have the same opportunities and we want to change that.”
The letter, which is signed by his fellow creatives including Maisie Peters, Annie Lennox, Coldplay, Sir Elton John, Harry Styles, Stormzy, Paloma Faith and more, calls for a £250 million education package “to repair decades of dismantling music” in state schools.
“Music in and out of school should be for all, not a few,” the letter said, listing five “fights” required to protect and grow music education:
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1. Fund music in schools, like sport – sports programs currently receive £324 million in funding.
2. Train more music teachers. The letter asks for 1,000 music teachers to be urgently trained to stop the closure of more music departments.
3. Launch UK-wide fund for grassroots music collabs. A quarter of youth music spaces are considering closing.
4. Launch 500 music industry apprenticeships to support at-risk youth.
5. Diversify the curriculum to include music in school report cards.
The letter highlighted a portion of a speech made by Brits Rising star Myles Smith at the 2025 BRIT Awards who said: “How many more venues need to close? How many music programs need to be cut before we realise that we can’t just celebrate success, we have to protect the foundations that make it?”
It also quoted Group of The Year winner Ezra Collective who said, “This moment right here is because of great youth clubs, and the great teachers that support young people playing music.”
Ed is already behind the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation which funds music programs in schools and instrument hire to students in Suffolk where he grew up. In January this year, he also launched the Ed Sheeran Foundation which aims to provide inclusive and high-quality music education in schools across the UK.
(Feature Image Credit: Paul Froggat/ Shutterstock.com)
