Restore The Music awards grants to reverse decline in Music GCSE uptake

Music education charity Restore The Music (RTM) has today announce its latest funding round, with £240,000 given to music departments of 14 state schools in London, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham. The charity, which aims to reverse the national decline of Music GCSE uptake, has also launched a new research study exploring the impact music education can have on attendance and attainment.

Secondary schools receiving grants of £20,000 are: George Green’s School, School 21, Harris Invictus Academy Croydon, Harris Academy Battersea, Ark All Saints Academy and Ark Burlington Danes Academy in London, as well as Bolden School in Newcastle, Ark Boulton Academy in Birmingham and Manchester Academy. Primary schools receiving £10,000 grants will be: Buxton School, Ark Priory Primary Academy and School 21 in London, Four Dwellings Primary Academy in Birmingham, Manchester Communication Primary Academy and West Newcastle Academy.

Charity co-founder and CEO Polly Stepan Moore said: ‘We are committed to increasing access to music in the areas of greatest need in the UK to redress the huge gaps created by the persistent cuts to music education. We believe that social change is possible by putting musical instruments in the hands of schoolchildren, unlocking potential and enriching the lives of those most in need through the transformative power of music. Young musicians face more barriers to progression in the North of England, as demonstrated by Youth Music’s new report, so we remain passionately committed to supporting the Northern cities and targeting areas of highest deprivation in in Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham. Meanwhile, eight schools in the capital were identified, with music departments that were some of the hardest hit, and where receiving a grant will be pivotal.’

RTM’s latest round of grants is expected to reach 11,000 pupils and enable access to nearly 1,500 instruments and resources. Positive impact reports across schools funded in previous grant rounds have also led the charity to launch new research. RTM’s 5 Year Case Study Spotlight will explore how music education drives attendance, participation and attainment at RTM grantee schools.

Youth Music CEO Matt Griffiths said: ‘It’s great to see Restore the Music ploughing crucial funding into the North of England, as our new research – the Sound of the Next Generation report – shows young people from the region are feeling less supported and nurtured musically than ever. Let’s be clear, this is not due to a lack of musical and creative talent in the North. However, the grassroots organisations supporting these young people are having to focus on short-term survival, restricting their ability to plan for the longer-term. Which is why investment like this is so important.’