Music education charity Restore The Music (RTM) has today announced its latest funding round, with £240,000 given to music departments of 14 state schools in London, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham. The awards aim to help reverse the national decline of GCSE Music uptake, bridging the gap in music provision at some of the most underserved state schools in the UK.
Secondary schools receiving grants of £20,000 are: George Green’s School (Tower Hamlets, London), School 21 (Stratford, London), Harris Invictus Academy Croydon (London), Harris Academy Battersea (London), Ark All Saints Academy (Camberwell, London), Ark Burlington Danes Academy (London), Manchester Academy (Manchester), Bolden School (Newcastle) and Ark Boulton Academy (Birmingham).
Primary schools receiving of £10,000 grants are: Buxton School (Leytonstone, London), Ark Priory Primary Academy (Acton, London), School 21 (London), Four Dwellings Primary Academy (Birmingham), Manchester Communication Primary Academy (Manchester) and West Newcastle Academy (Newcastle).
RTM 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 a new research study, '5 Year Case Study Spotlight', which 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.’
This article was published in collaboration with Classical Music, a fellow MA Education & Music title. You can view the article on the CM website here.
