Decline in creative A Levels accelerates

Photo of student drawing
23 Aug 2019

About 6500 fewer students sat A Levels for creative subjects this year, outpacing a general decline in the number of exams taken by 5%.

Cultural Education Partnerships’ development stalls

A photo of children in a gallery with pictures on the wall
22 Aug 2019

Four years after the scheme was launched, only a third of partnerships believe they are established and delivering.

‘Increasing social division’ in schools’ theatre access

Photo of theatre production
16 Aug 2019

England’s principal producing theatres say cuts to arts education are increasingly restricting their work with children to independent schools.

Head teachers partly to blame for drop in school arts provision, says Vaizey

Photo of child playing trumpet
19 Jul 2019

The former Culture Minister says his party’s decision to “relentlessly” focus on STEM hurt music education – but also blames head teachers for not prioritising the arts.

'If you can't find the work, make it': helping young people take the creative initiative

A girl spray painting a poppy onto a wall using a stencil
18 Jul 2019

Programmes that nurture imagination and ambition can help re-establish the arts as a transformative force, says Robert West.

Austerity is undermining children’s access to culture, finds research

A photo of a boy holding a tablet
12 Jul 2019

An LSE researcher said children’s development is being thwarted by Government policy, but argued the situation could be improved if recent welfare cuts were reversed.

Four ways the Durham Commission can create a lasting legacy

Photo of a group of children wearing headset, interacting with a book
04 Jul 2019

As the Commission gets ready to publish its recommendations on creativity and education, Joe Hallgarten puts forward four ideas he'd like to see included.

My Gurus: A life of learning

Photo of Elizabeth Macdonald
03 Jul 2019

Music at Paxton General Manager Elizabeth Macdonald looks back on the teachers and mentors who have inspired her and continue to influence her work.

New Business School for the Creative Industries delayed

Photo of UCA's Epsom campus
24 Jun 2019

The multi-million pound project’s success depends on internal approvals, increased student numbers and philanthropic support.

Watchdog questions trustworthiness of DfE statistics

A close up of a person's hand playing the guitar
07 Jun 2019

The UK Statistics Authority has called for greater clarity in the way the Department presents statistics, after investigating concerns raised by ArtsProfessional and others.

Children from deprived areas shut out of music qualifications

A man sitting at a computer
31 May 2019

Research finds that “large geographical areas are completely without music provision at A level”.

No let-up in arts A level decline

31 May 2019

Early figures suggest that the trend away from studying some arts subjects at GCSE may be bottoming out, but A level entries continue to fall away across all disciplines.

Russell Group scraps A Level subject guidance

24 May 2019

The move by the elite university group has led to renewed calls to reconsider the controversial EBacc performance measure.

Change education policy to save arts in schools, say MPs

A photo of school pupils playing wind instruments
17 May 2019

A new report demands a “clear explanation” from DCMS and the Department for Education on why they have dismissed evidence about the declining provision and take-up of creative subjects.

Dancing to a new tune

Photo of Young people, Protein Dance artists and teachers from Bishopton Pupil Referral Unit at ARC, Stockton-on-Tees
15 May 2019

A programme in Stockton-on-Tees has helped young people excluded from mainstream schools learn new skills, develop self-worth and show others what they can achieve, writes Rachele Rapisardi.

Arts leaders back mentoring scheme for graduate women

Photo of Jude Kelly
03 May 2019

High profile arts leaders have signed up to the new ‘University Women in the Arts’ scheme, which will offer one-to-one support to women seeking a career in the sector after graduating with an arts degree. 

Wales embraces arts in new national curriculum

Photo of dancing young people
03 May 2019

Details of Welsh Government proposals for embedding the arts in the new curriculum have been put out to consultation prior to being adopted for all primary students in 2022, and rolled out for all students aged 3-16 by 2026.

Time to walk the talk

Photo of Julian Mitchell leading a coding activity at Raynham Primary School in London
02 May 2019

Frustrated with the decline of arts and creative subjects in schools, Nick Corston gave up his day job to form a not-for-profit enterprise that connects children with art in their community.

No school ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ without arts, says ACE

Photo of child with art
26 Apr 2019

Arts Council England has told Ofsted that schools without a strong arts offer should be classified as ‘requiring improvement’ or ‘inadequate’. 

A seat at the table

Photo of Imrana speaking at the Power of Community symposium
24 Apr 2019

Challenging the notion of a ‘hard-to-reach community’ in Luton, Imrana Mahmood explores the need to create pathways that lead to meaningful inclusion.

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