Ed Sheeran Welcomes U.K. Curriculum Reforms, Says Changes to Music Education ‘Give Young People Hope’
Ed Sheeran has publicly praised the U.K. government’s newly announced changes to music education, calling the reforms an important step toward expanding access to the arts for school-age children. The updates follow a formal curriculum review and respond directly to concerns Sheeran raised earlier this year in an open letter supported by major British artists.
In a statement posted to Instagram on Nov. 5, Sheeran said the revisions address several of the “key points” he outlined in his summer appeal, including broadening the range of genres taught in classrooms and discontinuing systems that have limited students’ opportunities to study music during the school day. “These changes give young people hope and the opportunity to study music,” he wrote.
Sheeran noted that while the reforms are encouraging, more work remains, particularly in supporting music teachers. “Without the encouragement I received in school, especially from my music teacher, I wouldn’t be a musician today,” he said, adding that music played a central role in his confidence and mental health.
The singer launched the Ed Sheeran Foundation earlier this year with a focus on expanding access to arts education. His open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the government to commit £250 million to rebuild music education and was signed by artists including Harry Styles, Elton John, and Central Cee.
A government summary of the review cites “revitalizing arts subjects” as a major area of improvement. Among the most notable updates is the decision to scrap the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), a measure that prioritized academic subjects while excluding arts and vocational courses. Critics, including Sheeran, have long argued the EBacc marginalized creative studies and restricted access for students who might pursue music, drama, or related fields.
In a letter to Sheeran, Starmer wrote that the revised National Curriculum “places creative subjects firmly at the center.” He added that the government will strengthen music and drama instruction and launch a National Center for Arts and Music Education to support teachers and raise standards.
“Learning music at school made a huge difference to my life,” Starmer said. “We will make sure every child has access to those experiences… so that creativity isn’t a privilege, but a right.”
Sheeran described the curriculum overhaul as a promising start but emphasized that sustained investment will be necessary for meaningful change. The new policy positions the arts as a core component of education after years of decline in funding and participation.
