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Ed Sheeran delivers a concert at an old school following his appeal to Keir Starmer for £250 million investment in music education.

Singer Ed Sheeran unexpectedly showed up at his old high school, Thomas Mills High School in Suffolk, following his plea to Prime Minister Keir Starmer to allocate £250 million towards music education.

Music star Ed Sheeran carries out a concert at an old school, following his call for £250 million...
Music star Ed Sheeran carries out a concert at an old school, following his call for £250 million investment in music education to the attention of Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Ed Sheeran delivers a concert at an old school following his appeal to Keir Starmer for £250 million investment in music education.

In a significant move to address the decline in music education in the UK, Ed Sheeran, along with other prominent figures in the music industry, has launched a campaign advocating for a £250 million investment in music education. The campaign aims to reverse decades of defunding and de-prioritizing music education, ensuring that music remains accessible to all children.

The UK music industry generates an impressive £7.6 billion for the economy annually, yet state schools, which educate 93% of children, have seen a 21% decrease in music provision. This decline has been a concern for many, including Sheeran, who believes that music is crucial to the UK's economy, wellbeing, mental health, communities, and young people's dreams.

The campaign, which is still active, has gained widespread support from across the music industry. Artists, educators, and cultural organisations have urged the government to invest in music education and take action to protect its future. The campaign proposes five key areas for improvement: funding music in schools like sport, training music teachers, launching a UK-wide fund for grassroots music collaboration, launching fair and industry-fit music apprenticeships, and diversifying the curriculum.

The campaign letter, signed by leading artists and industry figures, also calls for the urgent training of 1,000 music teachers to end the 56% fall in recruitment and stopping the closures of University music departments. Additionally, it suggests delivering a Music & Arts Pupil Premium to schools and funding an additional £32m for Music Hubs each year. The letter also proposes launching 500 music apprenticeships UK-wide, with new festival apprenticeships and industry readiness support for youth at-risk.

The campaign's momentum was evident at a recent gala concert celebrating Sheeran's old high school in Suffolk, where he made a surprise appearance. The event, hosted by Britten Pears Arts at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, marked the 45th anniversary of the school's music legacy. The evening served as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of dedicated music educators, with performances from students past and present.

Sheeran's involvement in the campaign is not new. He has been campaigning to protect music education for some time, urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to invest £250m in music education. Sheeran has credited the mentorship of long-serving Director of Music Richard Hanley, who is retiring after 36 years at the school this summer, as pivotal in encouraging him to pursue his dream of a career in music.

The full open letter, signed by leading artists and industry figures, can be read online. Sheeran shared a post on Instagram earlier this week, drawing attention to the urgency of the situation in music education in the UK. As of July 2025, the campaign appears to be ongoing, with public calls made as recently as spring 2025 for the UK government or relevant bodies to fund this package. There is no indication from the search results that the funding has yet been secured or that the campaign has concluded successfully.

[1] Source: The Guardian, BBC News, and Ed Sheeran's official website.

  1. Ed Sheeran's campaign, advocating for a £250 million investment in music education, aims to bridge the education-and-self-development gap and enhance entertainment through music.
  2. The initiative, supported by various artists, educators, and cultural organizations, proposes a shift in philosophy, making music as essential as sport in UK schools as part of online-education and learning.
  3. Music education, crucial for the UK's economy, mental health, and young people's dreams, can potentially be revitalized with the proposed investment in music teachers, funding for grassroots collaborations, diversifying the curriculum, and introducing music apprenticeships.

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