Key Points:
- Music and arts education UK will return to the core curriculum, following Ed Sheeran’s campaign for equal access.
- Schools can now offer broader GCSEs, including music, drama, and arts.
- A National Centre will support teachers and improve access to instruments and diverse music styles.
The UK government has announced major changes to the national curriculum aimed at revitalising music and arts education UK. The decision follows an open letter by musician Ed Sheeran, supported by artists including Harry Styles, Stormzy, and Elton John, calling for greater funding and access to creative subjects in schools.
In the letter, Sheeran highlighted that learning music had become a “luxury not every child can afford,” urging the government to commit £250 million to rebuild music education. His appeal has since been credited with influencing the government’s decision to restore arts as a key part of the school curriculum.
Music and Arts Return to the Core Curriculum
For the first time in over a decade, the UK will update its curriculum to include music and arts education UK as essential subjects. The government will also remove the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) — a system that gave higher priority to academic subjects such as maths and science.
The reform means schools will now encourage students to take a broader range of GCSEs, including creative disciplines. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the move aims to ensure that “the arts are for all, not the lucky few,” and reaffirmed the importance of creativity in helping students develop confidence and communication skills.
A new National Centre for Arts and Music Education will also be launched to provide support and training for teachers. The initiative will focus on improving teaching standards, ensuring access to instruments, and promoting diversity in the genres taught across schools, further strengthening music and arts education UK.
Recognition for Music’s Educational Value
Sheeran’s campaign has drawn attention to the role of music in education and student development. In his open letter, he referenced a 2024 report that found no UK artist ranked in the global top 10 — the first time in two decades — describing it as evidence of the need to rebuild music education at the grassroots level.
Following the government’s announcement, Sheeran said he was pleased that some of the key points raised in his letter had been recognised. He noted that the reforms will help remove barriers preventing students from studying music, while expanding access to a wider variety of musical styles.
“Without the encouragement I received from my teachers, I wouldn’t be a musician today,” Sheeran said. “Music helped me find confidence and supported my mental health. Every child should have that chance.”
A Broader Vision for Creative Learning
The curriculum update represents a wider effort to promote creative and cultural learning in schools. Alongside music, the reforms will strengthen drama and arts education, giving students more opportunities to explore self-expression, teamwork, and cultural appreciation.
The new framework for music and arts education UK will focus on equal access for students across the UK, particularly in schools that have faced cuts to arts programs in recent years. Teachers will receive new resources and training to integrate creative learning into everyday lessons.
Education leaders have welcomed the changes, describing them as a step toward ensuring that creativity is treated as a right, not a privilege. For many students and educators, the reforms mark the return of an important balance — one where academic and artistic learning are valued equally in preparing young people for the future.