Ed Sheeran, the English singer and songwriter, recently posted on social media an announcement of his partial credit in the changes to music education in public schools.

He had sent a letter to the English Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, in the first months of the year, in regard to his concern about the rapidly declining care for music and art education in schools around his home country.

Sir Starmer sent back a reply to the songwriter around September, essentially thanking him for reaching out and promised to consider it. Afterwards, Sheeran heard back from the premier administration at the beginning of the week stating that it would be discussed in Parliament.

As of Nov. 8, PM Starmer approved the notion, and soon more improvements will be made.

“Our creative industries are a source of such national pride. But 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,” Secretary of Education Bridgit Phillipson said 

Ed Sheeran received the notice that he, and all the others that had signed along with this idea had been heard.

“Your open letter sent a powerful message: creativity matters,” Stermer said.

“With the help of the letter and everyone who signed it, I’m happy to say that some of the key points we raised have been recognised by the government today, marking the first change to the music curriculum in over 10 years,” he said.

He had specifically asked for Ebacc, a notion that rendered music a less profitable credit to take in regards for universities, funding to be brought back in specifically underprivileged schools, and curriculum changes to not focus solely on classical music, and for instruments to be bought for schools.

“I wanted you to know that your voice has been heard,” Starmer had told Sheeran. “Learning music at school made a huge difference to my life. We will make sure every child has access to those experiences – from arts and culture to nature and civic engagement – so that creativity isn’t a privilege, but a right.”

On The Graham Norton Show on Nov. 8 on BBC, Ed Sheeran discussed his latest presence in Parliament. He pointed out that one of the biggest cases of pride for all Englishmen around the world is based around the arts: their actors, musicians, comedians, poets and filmmakers. 

Sheeran also pointed out that music alone brings in 7.6 billion British pounds to the English economy. His own latest album, which was released on Sept. 12 of this year, made around $71k revenue in the U.S. within its first week of existence.

“Without the encouragement I received in school, especially from my music teacher, I wouldn’t be a musician today, and I know so many of my peers feel the same,” Sheeran, discussing his school in Suffolk, said.

Sheeran’s Foundation includes the full letter sent to the English Premier, including the various requesting claims that they had made in the initial open letter, along with all the supporting backers of the motion.

“My music education went beyond learning and playing. It helped me find confidence in myself, and music itself was – and still is – so important for my mental health.” Sheeran said. “The arts should be for all, not just a lucky few, and we’ll revitalise arts education, putting it back at the heart of a rich and broad curriculum.”