Ed Sheeran-led coalition wins music curriculum reform, EBacc scrapped

Ed Sheeran and a coalition of music industry figures have secured a major shift in England’s school curriculum after the government announced on Wednesday that music and the arts will be given greater prominence and the English Baccalaureate performance measure will be scrapped. The changes, published as part of a wider review of the national curriculum on November 5, follow an open letter Sheeran wrote in March to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging stronger support for music education.

The review, led by education expert Becky Francis, recommended revising the programme of study for music to clarify aims and content, diversify musical genres taught in schools and strengthen pupils’ technical and expressive musical understanding including reading music. The government said it will publish a revised curriculum in spring 2027, with schools expected to begin teaching it from September 2028 and updated GCSE specifications to follow for first teaching in 2029. The response also included plans for a National Centre for Arts and Music Education to support teachers and raise standards.

Sheeran’s letter, backed by more than 600 signatories including established and contemporary artists,...