Arts in Schools report calls for ‘major overhaul’ of education system

A New Direction and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation have published the 'Arts in Schools: Foundations for the Future' report, asking policymakers and schools to place greater value to the role of the arts as part of a rethink of England’s state education system. 

The report assesses policy developments since ‘The Arts in Schools: Principles, Practice and Provision’, which was the last influential Gulbenkian report, released in 1982. This initial release helped secure the arts’ place in the National Curriculum and contributed to the addition of education teams in multiple cultural organisations. 

The newest report features a range or research, including a series of roundtable discussions with the heads of schools and multi-academy trusts, teachers, academics, arts educators and young people. 

The findings suggest that the arts are ‘vital for young people’s intellectual and personal development, but are marginalised in today’s school system, which itself requires a major overhaul.’ 

The report’s authors and partners have a number of requests:

• Policy makers are asked to reconsider the status of arts in schools as part of a major re-evaluation of the English education system
• Schools are encouraged to embrace the arts, and to value their unique contribution to children and young people’s education, development and wellbeing
• The report also suggests that arts organisations should ensure their resources can be made easily available and relevant to schools (including online), and responsive to their needs, including by opening up opportunities through work experiences and apprenticeships 
• Parents are encouraged to send the report to their children’s schools, the chair of governors or headteachers. 

National Drama has responded to the report with a full statement, saying: ‘Drama, as an art form, can be transformational for children, young people and their teachers when they engage in a process that explores what it is to be human. Why does it not receive the same curriculum recognition as other arts?’