Restore The Music Uk

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £420,000+ (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (multi-stage process)
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £20,000
• Geographic Focus: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle

Contact Details

Website: www.restorethemusicuk.com

Email: polly@restorethemusicuk.com

Phone: 07767 776934

Overview

Founded in 2013 and registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2017 (Charity Number 1172363), Restore the Music UK has awarded £2.6 million across nearly 150 state schools, providing over 30,000 musical instruments to 110,000 children aged 4-18. The charity's mission is the advancement of music education for young people in the UK, specifically targeting non-fee-paying primary and secondary schools in areas of high socio-economic deprivation. Schools supported typically have 50-60% of children on free school meals. Founded by CEO Polly Moore, the charity expanded nationwide through partnerships including Sony Music UK's Social Justice Fund. In 2024 alone, the charity awarded over £420,000 across multiple funding rounds, demonstrating significant growth and impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Capital Grants for Schools Programme

• Primary Schools: £10,000 (for instruments and equipment)
• Secondary Schools: £20,000 (for instruments and equipment)
• Application Method: Three-stage invitation-only process (Pre-Assessment Form, meeting, formal proposal by invitation)

Music Tech Grant

• Available only to previous grantees (not first-time applicants)
• Sponsored by SoundStart Foundation
• Amount not specified

Priority Areas

• State primary and secondary schools with above-average Free School Meals percentages (average 57%)
• Schools with high Pupil Premium percentages
• Schools in areas of high socio-economic deprivation
• Schools committed to providing music education beyond carousel curriculum models
• Geographic focus: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle
• High-quality musical instruments and equipment
• Music education resources and equipment that enable all children to access music learning

What They Don't Fund

• Fee-paying/independent schools
• Schools offering music as part of a carousel curriculum model
• Tuition fees (cannot be included in grant proposals)
• Schools outside their geographic focus areas (London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle)
• Individual musicians or artists
• Organizations other than schools

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Governance and Leadership

CEO and Founder: Polly Moore

Board of Trustees: Names not publicly listed, but trustees receive no remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity

Key Quotes from Leadership

Polly Moore, CEO: “Music is a super power. Our job is to make that power accessible by every child across the UK.”

On her founding inspiration: “The first time I walked into a music department, I was shocked to see that it did not contain one single instrument. I was completely staggered that anyone could expect the music teacher to convey the magic and brilliance of music without any resources whatsoever.”

On the charity's vision: "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, so we will continue to focus on the areas with the highest deprivation in Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham. 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."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The application follows a three-stage, invitation-only process:

Stage 1: Pre-Assessment Form

• Complete and submit the Pre-Grant Assessment form online at restorethemusicuk.com/grants
• Schools must demonstrate eligibility criteria (non-fee-paying, above-average Free School Meals, geographic location)

Stage 2: Meeting (by invitation)

• Eligible schools are contacted for a meeting
• Must involve both the Head of Music and the school Principal/Headteacher (demonstrating senior leadership commitment)
• Discussion focuses on current music provision and how funding would enable growth

Stage 3: Grant Proposal (by invitation only)

• Schools officially apply for specific funding
• Must outline intended use of funds and expected outcomes
• Cannot include tuition fees in proposal

Review Process

• All applications are carefully considered by the RTM UK Board of Trustees

Decision Timeline

Specific timeframes from submission to decision are not publicly available. Schools progress through the three stages sequentially, with invitations issued between stages.

Success Rates

Success rate percentages are not publicly available. However, the charity operates a targeted, invitation-based model rather than an open competition, suggesting they work closely with schools they identify as eligible and suitable for funding.

Reapplication Policy

Previous grantees join the “RTM family” and:

• Are invited to attend all RTM events
• Participate in community-wide discussions and CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
• May be eligible for additional funding through the Music Tech Grant (not available to first-time applicants)

Specific reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements

Senior Leadership Buy-In: The requirement for the school Principal/Headteacher to attend the Stage 2 meeting demonstrates that RTM prioritizes schools where music education has support at the highest level. This ensures funding will be used strategically and sustainably.

Curriculum Model: Schools using a carousel curriculum model (where music is taught in rotation with other subjects for limited periods) are explicitly excluded. RTM aligns with Ofsted and government guidance that music education requires regular, consistent teaching.

Socio-Economic Need: Schools must demonstrate they serve communities with high deprivation levels through Free School Meals and Pupil Premium data. The average RTM grantee school has 57% of children on free school meals.

Clear Vision for Growth: The Stage 2 meeting focuses on “how to grow” music provision with the funding, suggesting successful applications articulate a clear vision for expansion and development, not just maintenance of existing provision.

Strategic Approach

The charity focuses on identifying underserved schools rather than waiting for applications, operating a proactive rather than purely reactive model. Schools should:

• Demonstrate genuine need and lack of current instrument provision
• Show commitment to making music accessible to all pupils, not just a select few
• Articulate how the funding will transform opportunities for disadvantaged children
• Align with RTM's philosophy that “music is a powerful tool for change” and “unlocks potential”

Recent Funding Examples

In 2024, RTM awarded funding to schools including Ark schools in London and schools across Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle. In July 2024, £240,000 was awarded to 14 schools, reaching 11,000 pupils with access to nearly 1,500 instruments and resources.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This funder only accepts applications from schools - individual grant writers working for other types of organizations cannot apply
• Senior leadership commitment is essential - the Principal/Headteacher must be actively engaged, demonstrated by required attendance at Stage 2 meetings
• Carousel curriculum schools need not apply - RTM's eligibility requirements explicitly exclude schools using this model
• Geographic focus is non-negotiable - only schools in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle are currently eligible
• Socio-economic data matters - strong Free School Meals and Pupil Premium percentages are key eligibility indicators
• Think long-term relationship, not one-off funding - successful grantees join the RTM community and may access additional funding streams
• Demonstrate transformative potential - align applications with RTM's philosophy of music as a tool for unlocking potential and creating change
• Start with the Pre-Assessment Form - this is the only entry point; full proposals are by invitation only

References

1. Charity Commission Register - “RESTORE THE MUSIC UK - 1172363” - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1172363&subId=0 -

1. Restore the Music UK Official Website - Grants Page - https://restorethemusicuk.com/grants -

1. Restore the Music UK - About Us - https://restorethemusicuk.com/about-us -

1. Music Week - “Restore The Music awards £240,000 in grants to 14 schools” - https://www.musicweek.com/media/read/restore-the-music-awards-240-000-in-grants-to-14-schools/090223 -

1. UK Music - “All Together Now: Restore The Music” - https://www.ukmusic.org/news/all-together-now-restore-the-music/ -

1. Music Teacher Magazine - “Restore The Music: tooling up schools” - https://www.musicteachermagazine.co.uk/content/features/restore-the-music-tooling-up-schools -

1. The Big Issue - "Music education funded for thousands of underprivileged kids by charity: 'It's a must-have'" - https://www.bigissue.com/culture/music/restore-the-music-education-uk-schools-funding-grants/ -

1. Music Week - “Restore The Music charity awards £180,000 to schools across the UK” - https://www.musicweek.com/media/read/restore-the-music-charity-awards-180-000-to-schools-across-the-uk/089436 -

1. Sony Music UK - “Restore The Music UK” - https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/beneficiary/restore-the-music-uk/ -

1. Music Teacher Magazine - “Restore The Music awards grants to 29 state schools” - https://www.musicteachermagazine.co.uk/news/article/restore-the-music-provides-state-schools-with-420k-grant -