Whatever their political leanings, many teachers and theatre educators breathed a huge sigh of relief back in July when the new Labour government was elected. For some, it was less about a ringing endorsement for Keir Starmer than a genuine desire for a change of policy in relation to the arts and education.
Setting the scene
Labour set the scene for arts, culture and the creative industries with the launch of its long-awaited plan at the Barbican in March. Starmer referred to a creativity crisis in schools under the Conservatives: 14 years of arts subjects being diminished and devalued, with GCSE enrolment in arts subjects down by 47 per cent. He stated his belief that it's working-class children and young people who bear the brunt of that collapse in the arts and why a Labour government would reform the school accountability framework and put creativity at the heart of the curriculum.
He talked about the EBacc as ‘an accountability measure that values Latin and Ancient Greek but not music, drama or art.’ He promised to update the ‘Progress 8’ performance measure to help all children and young people study a creative arts subject or sport until they are 16, and review the curriculum so that creativity and oracy are woven into everything children learn. Labour's mission, he said, was about helping every child and young person find their voice – and have access to music, art, design and drama.
Labour's promises
In its glossy brochure, the party stated that ‘in Government, Labour will urgently commission a full, expert-led review of curriculum and assessment that will seek to deliver a curriculum that is rich and broad, inclusive and innovative, and which develops children's knowledge and skills. In doing so, we will consult widely across the creative sector to make sure we are drawing on all the relevant expertise.’
The plan also recognises that across England, music education hubs provide brilliant opportunities for young people, but that provision is fragmented and inequitable across the country, and there is no central point for parents, carers and teachers to find out about the resources and learning opportunities in their areas.
To help address this, Labour promised to introduce the National Music Education Network, which will be a ‘landing point’ for parents, carers and teachers and will include a music hub finder tool, as well as providing teaching resources, signposting progression routes (including national opportunities), listing instrument banks and instrument repair services, and offering guidance about music exams and applications to national ensembles, conservatories and universities.
What practical things will change?
So far, so good. But what – in the cold light of day – is likely to change for arts education under this new Labour government?
- Firstly, we are likely to see more stability in government. Since 2010 there have been 12 culture secretaries and 10 education secretaries. If a school had 10 headteachers in 14 years it would be in special measures! Such stability should give ministers and secretaries of state time to master their brief and establish trust and relationships with schools, universities and the cultural sector.
- Secondly, in the words of Bridget Phillipson, the new education secretary, Labour has promised to ‘deliver the biggest transformation in education that we have seen for a generation’. This includes measures such as the recruitment of 6,500 more teachers (paid for by ending tax breaks for private schools), free breakfast clubs in all primary schools, much more focus on early years education, reform and broadening of the national curriculum, and building a better relationship between government and teachers so that teaching becomes a highly appreciated, ‘go-to’ profession for young people.
- Thirdly, there is a real sense that the new government, unlike the last, will listen to the arts and education sectors. Phillipson recently announced the review of the national curriculum will be chaired by professor Becky Francis, an expert in education policy – including curriculum and social inequality – with the views of experts, parents and teachers key to the making of recommendations. The review will also take written evidence from stakeholders and undertake national roadshows, meeting and taking input from staff on the frontline. Recommendations will be published in 2025.
Time will tell if the new government's commitment to ‘national renewal’ will extend to the arts and education. Crucially, far from there being any new money, the prime minister has warned that October's budget ‘is going to be painful’ and that things will get worse before they get better.
We all have a part to play in holding the new government to account, keeping them true to their word and ensuring that the arts and education remain high priorities. Many of us now have Labour MPs that we can invite to visit our schools, universities and theatres or who we can visit in their surgeries. It's down to us as much as the government to make sure that the transformation we have been promised is realised.