Schools minister avoids joining Theatre for Every Child campaign

Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre have renewed calls for every child to attend the theatre once in their school career. Despite sharing similar sentiments publicly, the minister of state for schools Damian Hinds has avoided joining the body’s Theatre for Every Child Campaign. 

The membership organisation is campaigning for every party to commit to the pledge ahead of the general election. It has made the point that existing education funds are not enough to promote ‘the magic of performing arts’. 

Minister Hinds claims that his government has ‘reaffirmed’ its commitment to providing pupils with ‘enriching arts education’, including by ensuring GCSE and A Level Drama students have ‘the entitlement to experience live theatre’. 

Speaking on the topic, Hinds insisted that a parents income should not be a barrier to a pupil participating in a school trip - including those to the theatre, citing published guidance to support his case. 

Hinds flagged that a rise in pupil premium funding to more than £2.9 billion in the 2024/25 academic year will help ensure school can support the educational outcomes of disadvantaged young people, including by funding school trips. 

In response, SOLT and UK Theatre said that this is not beneficial to every child, stating: ‘existing education funds that are targeted at the most disadvantaged, and are already in high demand to support core education provision, are not the answer to ensuring every child can access the magic of performing arts.’