Ed Sheeran’s open letter strikes a chord: UK music curriculum gets a long-awaited update

Global music sensation Ed Sheeran has successfully led an industry-wide charge, culminating in the first major update to the music curriculum in England in over a decade. Following an open letter to the Prime Minister in March 2025, Sheeran and a host of key figures have influenced the UK Government to introduce significant changes aimed at revitalizing arts education in schools.

A United Front for Music Education

Since launching the Ed Sheeran Foundation earlier in the year, Sheeran has championed the cause of accessible and meaningful education for all young people. His open letter to the Prime Minister, backed by over 600 leading names across the music and education sectors—including Harry Styles, Stormzy, Annie Lennox, and Central Cee—called attention to the urgent need to protect and expand music education. The campaign emphasized the importance of fostering a pipeline of future talent for the UK music industry, a sector that contributes a vital $7.6 billion to the national economy.

Today, the government announced new measures following its curriculum review, directly addressing several concerns raised by Sheeran and his supporters. Key among these is the removal of the EBacc measure, which is expected to encourage students to pursue a wider range of GCSE subjects, including music and the arts. Furthermore, the curriculum will be updated to include a greater diversity of musical genres.

Prime Minister Hails Sheeran’s “Powerful Message”

The news was met with a direct response from the Prime Minister, who praised Sheeran’s advocacy. In his letter, the Prime Minister noted that the government’s response to the curriculum review places creative subjects “firmly at the centre,” adding: “Your open letter sent a powerful message: creativity matters… I wanted you to know that your voice has been heard.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson echoed this sentiment in her curriculum review speech, stating, “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.”

Sheeran expressed his delight at the outcome, stating that the change gives young people “hope and the opportunity to study music.” He stressed the personal impact of his own music education: “Without the encouragement I received in school… I wouldn’t be a musician today… My music education went beyond learning and playing. It helped me find confidence in myself.”

While acknowledging there is still more work to be done, particularly in supporting music teachers, Sheeran celebrated today’s announcement as “a step in the right direction.” The update marks a significant victory for the Ed Sheeran Foundation’s mission to ensure music remains an integral and accessible part of every child’s education.