Music artist Ed Sheeran gives a performance at a local school, following his £250 million appeal to British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer for music education support.
In the heart of Suffolk, the Snape Maltings Concert Hall played host to a special event, marking the 45th anniversary of Thomas Mills High School's music legacy [1]. The evening was filled with music from students past and present, serving as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of dedicated music educators [2].
The highlight of the event was a surprise appearance by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, who credited the school's long-serving Director of Music, Richard Hanley, for encouraging him to pursue his dream [3]. Hanley, who is retiring after 36 years at the school, was honoured at the gala concert.
Sheeran has been at the forefront of a campaign for government investment of £250 million in music education. The campaign, which is gaining attention, aims to support music teaching and pupils' creative ambitions in state schools, which have experienced a 21% decrease in music provision [4].
The campaign is backed by prominent artists including Stormzy, Coldplay, and Harry Styles, among others [1][2]. To raise funds for this cause, Sheeran is selling prints of his 'Cosmic Carpark Paintings', with 50% of the profits donated to the Ed Sheeran Foundation, which supports music education in state schools and grassroots organisations across the UK [1].
In March 2025, Sheeran wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging increased funding to support music education [1]. The letter, co-signed by artists such as Sir Elton John, Annie Lennox, and YolanDa Brown, highlights the financial challenges facing music education in the UK. While the UK music industry generates £7.6 billion for the economy, state schools have seen a decline in music provision [5].
The letter outlines five key areas for improvement in music education in the UK: funding music in schools, closing the gaps in music teacher recruitment, launching a fund for grassroots music collaboration, launching music apprenticeships, and diversifying the curriculum [6].
The campaign is not just about advocacy efforts directed at the government but also includes fundraising through art sales and gathering support from other leading musicians [1][2]. The full open letter, signed by leading artists and industry figures, can be read online.
As the campaign continues, it underscores the critical role of music education in the UK's economy, wellbeing, mental health, communities, and young people's dreams. Despite the UK music industry's substantial contribution, the next generation is at risk due to reduced music education in schools, reflected by the decline in state school music provision and the absence of a UK global Top 10 single or album in the charts for the first time in over 20 years [2].
References: 1. BBC News 2. The Guardian 3. Ed Sheeran's Instagram Post
- The music education at Thomas Mills High School has had a profound impact, as evidenced by alumni performances and the influence of long-serving Director of Music Richard Hanley on singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.
- Sheeran is spearheading a campaign for £250 million in government investment for music education in state schools, aiming to revive music teaching and nurture pupils' creative ambitions, which have experienced a 21% decrease in provision.
- The campaign, backed by prominent artists, includes efforts to raise funds through art sales and engage politicians for policy-and-legislation changes, such as increased funding, music apprenticeships, and diversifying the curriculum.
- Music education plays a significant role in the UK's economy, wellbeing, mental health, and communities, but the next generation is at risk due to a decline in music provision in state schools, as reflected by the absence of a UK global Top 10 single or album in the charts for over 20 years.
