Unlocking music potential in the most underserved state schools in the country with over £2.4m in grants

14 March 2024 - Press release

Restore The Music awards £180K to 11 Schools in London, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham

Newcastle artist Sam Fender lends his support

Respected grant giving music charity Restore The Music has announced today its latest funding round has awarded £180,000 in grants to the music departments of eleven state schools in London, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham, reaching 8,400 pupils with access to nearly 2,000 instruments in some of the most deprived areas of the UK.

Restore The Music (RTM) reveals that since inception in 2013, including this latest funding round, it has awarded nearly £2.4 million across 130 state schools, giving vital access to 30,000 musical instruments and equipment to 100,000 children aged 4-18, helping to unlock musical potential and enabling those most in need to be enriched by the transformative power of music.

In particular, Newcastle’s Walker Riverside Academy was selected to receive £20k in musical equipment via RTM’s partnership with Sony Music UK Social Justice Fund and itsBeyond The Instrument initiative, which saw Ministry of Sound artist DJ Schak visit the school to demo music equipment, host a talk and DJ masterclass for pupils. Newcastle/South Tyneside’s Hebburn Comprehensive School also received £20k as part of RTM’s partnership with Fishmonger’s Livery Company.  Six London schools, of which three primary and three secondary schools, have been identified as among some of the most deprived in the capital,  receiving a total of £90k. Meanwhile, Birmingham’s Ark Kings Academy, in a city which is recently facing huge budget cuts and cultural deprivation, benefited from £20k.

Sam Fender, Newcastle native, singer, songwriter, musician and Restore the Music supporter, said “I’m glad to support Restore The Music on this announcement about giving greater access to music to young people, especially as it has targeted Newcastle as a key city in need. Thank you RTM!”

Polly Moore, CEO and Founder of Restore The Music said: “I’m excited to announce the results of our latest funding round. Our vision is to redress the balance following the cuts to music education and put more music in the hands of schoolchildren. The North of England is hit hard economically, there is also Birmingham’s recent catastrophic arts and culture cuts, so we will continue to focus on the areas with the highest deprivation in Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham. Meanwhile London, our key city, is still hugely in need and we identified six inner city schools that a grant would make a huge difference to. Music has the power to transform children’s futures and we are determined to continue to assist in safeguarding those futures and this country’s creative economy, by investing at the very grassroots of the talent pipeline. External investment in school-centred music provision is sorely needed and this movement is a perfect collaboration of music partners such as Sony Music UK, aligning to deliver a singular vision: access to more music for more kids.”

Charlotte Edgeworth, Sony Music UK Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact and Co-chair of Social Justice Fund said: “Restore the Music was our trusted partner for the second year running when it came to delivering the Sony Music Beyond the Instrument programme. We know that they hold an unrivalled understanding of both the need and capacity of their grantees and would match us with the right school. It is wonderful to see the continued reach of their much-needed programme which will enable so many more children to benefit from quality music education. Congratulations!”

Gareth Smith, Headteacher at Walker Riverside Academy, Newcastle said: “We are delighted and thankful to Restore The Music and Sony Music UK and for their investment in the Academy. The impact of their support is palpable, with a thriving music department now at the heartbeat of the school again. The visit of DJ Schak culminates a remarkable 18 months in music development at the Academy, helping to further spark the interest of our students in our music curriculum.”

Anna Sarchet, City Academy, Hackney, Principal said “We're delighted to have received this generous grant from Restore the Music. It means we can continue to  put music at the heart of our curriculum and provide all our students with new and exciting musical opportunities.” 

Daniel Richards, Ark Kings Academy, Birmingham, Principal said “Ark Kings is delighted to have been rewarded a Restore the Music grant. We are committed to providing our pupils with high quality music-making opportunities through both our curriculum and enrichment opportunities. The chance to play a musical instrument and perform in front of others we know will foster in our pupils: confidence and a life-long love of music.”

David Thompson, Hebburn Comprehensive School, Principal said “We are extremely grateful for this funding which will provide wonderful opportunities for our young people. It is crucial that children have access to a high-quality music education. This funding is going to have a significant impact on our pupils for years to come. We are really excited to see the difference it is going to make. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Polly and Restore the Music and Fishmongers for making this happen.”

Joanna Allinson, Fishmongers Company, Executive Director, Company Philanthropy & Grants,, said “Restore the Music’s collaborations with schools and music teachers up and down the country enrich young peoples’ lives in so many ways At the Fishmongers’ Company, we have been inspired to get behind this work and are proud to be supporting a new Restore the Music partnership with Hebburn School. We know that nothing contributes to an individual’s development, brings people together and opens doors quite like music, and we are excited by the potential of the school’s talented students and staff.” 

The RTM Grantees include seven secondary schools: Walker Riverside Academy (Newcastle), Hebburn Comprehensive School (South Tyneside/Newcastle), Broadoak School (Manchester), Ark Kings Academy (Birmingham), Harris Academy Purley (Croydon, London), City Academy (Hackney, London), Bobby Moore Academy (Hackney, London) – which will each receive a £20,000 grant.  

Meanwhile the four RTM Grantee primary schools include: Ark Tindal Primary Academy (Birmingham), Watling Primary School (Brent, London), Harris Primary Academy Crystal Palace (London), Ark Globe Primary School (Southwark, London) – which will each receive a £10,000 grant.