Elizabeth Donnison Foundation donation brings music and more to Sunderland school

The Elizabeth Donnison Foundation has donated £4,507 to a Hendon primary school, which will use the money to buy violins, science equipment and reading books.

The charity was established by Elizabeth Donnison in 1929 to give girls equal access to religious education. It has recently been revived with a broader purpose: to support “all educational needs, not just academic subjects.”

The foundation’s chair, musician and former Hendon councillor Stephen Lewis Elms, spoke about the importance of music in education. He said: “Music is the only universal language other than news. It’s one of the greatest things in this world.

“A little bit of dancing to music can completely change your mindset.”

Music education in Sunderland has improved in recent years. In 2024, the Department for Education announced that Sunderland would be one of 12 places in the UK to receive additional music funding. The funding would support free singing and instrumental lessons for gifted individuals, alongside investment in music teaching.

Last month, the Department for Education announced a £29 million investment in a National Arts and Entertainment programme. The programme aims to help children access higher-quality music education and new opportunities, particularly in underfunded communities.

Grace Trainor, a BA Primary Education student at the University of Sunderland, has seen the positive impact of music lessons on primary-school-aged children firsthand. She said: “They bring so much joy and give children an outlet, especially those who might struggle in other areas. I think they teach so many skills too, like teamwork, listening and working together.”