Disadvantaged state schools to receive new musical instruments

A music charity has announced funding for three schools in an effort to reverse the national decline of music GCSE uptake. 

The funding is part of a national plan by Restore The Music (RTM), which will see £240,000 in grants handed out to 14 state schools across London, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham.

The RTM grantees include Harris Invictus Academy Croydon, Harris Academy Battersea and Ark All Saints Academy in Camberwell, each receiving £20,000.  

Principal Lisa Kattenhorn, of Harris Invictus Academy Croydon, said: “The impact of RTM funding is real and will be evidenced. 

“We know the Arts are being squeezed and budgets are tight, and our children in Croydon do not get access to the same facilities as others, but RTM’s funding will be crucial to making better music provision a reality for our children. 

“Stormzy, who was himself once a Harris pupil, expressed it perfectly ‘Your circumstances don’t determine your potential.”

Funding will reach 11,000 pupils across the country, enabling access to nearly 1,500 instruments and resources.

The charity aims to “bridge the gap” in music provision at some of the most disadvantaged state schools in the UK. 

Since 2013, RTM has awarded £2.6million across nearly 150 state schools that have an average 50-60 per cent of children on free school meals, providing more than 30,000 musical instruments to 110,000 children aged four to 18. 

RTM has also announced a new research study, 5 Year Case Study Spotlight, at the charity’s grantee schools which will look into how music education affects attendance, participation and attainment.  

Diane Stirling, senior music consultant at the Harris Federation said: “Nationally there has been a decline of 12 per cent of entries at GCSE/BTEC Music. 

“At Harris we have seen a rise of more than 32 per cent in numbers of entries, which is drastically bucking the trend.  

“I can say with absolute confidence a huge part of this has been RTM funding support.”

Pictured top: Hallsville Primary in Newham received £10,000 for musical instruments from RTM in early 2023 (Picture: RTM)