Education

The BIMM Institute has become BIMM University after being granted full university status by the Department of Education. 

The newly named university was founded in 1983 as Drumtech. It now comprises of a collection of colleges including BIMM Institute, offering courses in music, the Institute for Contemporary Theatre, Performer College and Northern Ballet School, all offering courses in performing arts, and the Screen and Film School, offering courses in film and TV.

Between the colleges, the university will have campuses across Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Essex and Manchester.

“This is a tremendous accolade for our institution,” said Adam Carswell, CEO and Head of Institution. “It is the culmination of a long journey to develop the educational character of our institution, together with our academic processes and corporate governance.”

Professor Louise Jackson, Academic Director and Provost, said that being awarded university status “is the most significant moment of recognition for an institution of higher education, and it builds upon decades of endeavour”. 

“More than ever the world needs specialist universities that do not just conserve the past but develop new artistic practices and outputs to help us engage in myriad ways with what it means to be human,” she added. 

“I cannot describe how thrilled I am that BIMM University, now recognised as an equal to other distinguished seats of learning, will continue to lead the way across all our art forms.”

Arts University Plymouth has been ranked the best arts university in the UK for student satisfaction in this year’s National Student Survey.

Students rated the university above the national average in every main category of the survey, which was filled out by 81% of the overall student body.

The level of overall student satisfaction was 81%, up 12 percentage points on 2021 and five points above the national average of 76%. Six undergraduate courses received an overall satisfaction rate of above 90% and eight courses achieved 100% satisfaction rates in multiple categories.

The university achieved improved scores in all eight major categories of the survey, which include: teaching on the course, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation and management, learning resources, learning community, and student voice.  

The results come at a pivotal time in the institution's history, after it was awarded university status in May, changing its name from Plymouth College of Art to Arts University Plymouth.

“Whilst we are delighted to be in excellent company with a host of prestigious general and specialist universities this year, we will continue to use the student voice at Arts University Plymouth and the importance of an excellent student experience to guide everything that we do and allow no room for complacency,” said Dr. Stephen Felmingham, the university’s Pro Vice-Chancellor.
 
 

A new £4.1m creative hub for young musicians and dancers has opened as part of efforts to support diverse talent.

The Talent House, based in Stratford, will house both East London Dance and national youth music organisation UD, providing young music and dance professionals free and affordable access to world class facilities as a launchpad to reach new audiences.

It is hoped the venue, paid for with initial funding from Arts Council England and the Greater London Authority, will attract more than 12,000 people every year with an "inspirational" public programme, co-curated with young people, artists and local residents.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who opened the hub, said: “London’s music and dance scene is thriving, but these companies need a home to nurture and support talent, so I’m proud to have invested in this state of the art facility, which will not only be a springboard for creatives and performers in Newham and across the city, but help to cement London as the creative capital of the world. 

"Investment like this is essential for our city’s recovery and a key part of building a better London for everyone.”

Theatre productions can help to promote healthier body image in young children, a study has found.

Led by body image expert Professor Viren Swami of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), the study evaluated the responses of children aged between five and nine-years-old before and after attending productions of Cinderella: the AWESOME Truth at a theatre in London.

Professor Swami was consulted during the development of the production with the aim of creating a show that could help children develop positive body image and self-image.

The research, based on responses from 54 girls and 45 boys, found that body appreciation scores for both boys and girls improved after watching the production.

The improvements were achieved while maintaining near universal enjoyment of the show and delivering key learning outcomes, as assessed through the children’s qualitative responses.

“We know that body and appearance dissatisfaction is associated with detrimental health and psychological outcomes, including symptoms of depression, low self-esteem, disordered eating, and decreased physical activity, and this can begin in children as young as six," Professor Swarmi said. 

“Due to social media, children are becoming aware of unrealistic and unhealthy aspects of body image at an ever-younger age. Therefore, it is important to find new ways of countering these threats by delivering positive messages to young children.

“It may not be feasible to reach all children through theatre given production costs and barriers to attendance, for example ticket prices. However, we have shown there is merit in using theatrical performances to promote healthy body image messages, as well as potentially embedding drama and theatre with a body image focus in school-based curricula.”

Following approval from the Privy Council, Plymouth College of Art has been granted full university status and formally recognised with the new title of Arts University of Plymouth. 

Plymouth’s specialist arts university was founded in 1856 as Plymouth Drawing School and operates two city centre campuses for over 1,750 students. As a university, it will offer a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and pre-degree courses spanning art, design and digital media.

“Achieving full university status is just our latest evolution in over 160 years of leading specialist arts education in the South West and internationally,” said Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Arts University Plymouth. 

“Our vision for Arts University Plymouth is a new kind of art school for the 21st century, preparing graduates who are uniquely placed to provide creative solutions to the complex problems faced by modern society, spanning everything from the acceleration of new technologies to the global challenges facing healthcare, sustainability and the climate emergency.”

Higher and Further Education Minister Michelle Donelan said that the granting of full university status “is fully deserved and an historical moment for the city of Plymouth”.
 
“With this new status, I am confident that Arts University Plymouth will continue to help make dreams come true and equip graduates for a career in the creative industries whilst providing a blueprint for success to other creative providers,” she added.

DCMS, the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care have jointly announced new music and sport initiatives to support children’s development. 

More than £100m will be used to increase opportunities across the country for children to study music and learn instruments.

Capital funding worth £25m will be given to schools to purchase an estimated 200,000 new musical instruments, including adapted instruments for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Schools will also be asked to offer at least one hour of music teaching a week in the curriculum for key stages 1-3 as part of the launch of a new National Plan for Music Education, with £79 million made available every year until 2025 for the Music Hubs programme.

The plan also includes providing teachers and young people with guidance on how to progress a career in music.

“Music can transform lives – so it is vital that music education does not become the preserve of a privileged few and is available to everyone, regardless of their background,” said Chief Executive of UK Music Jamie Njoku-Goodwin.

“Continued investment in music education is vital if we want to unlock the huge creative potential of young people and level up opportunities across the country.”

Additional initiatives in the National Plan for Music Education include steps to further develop instrument and music teaching, a pilot to improve music progression in disadvantaged areas and the roll-out of an inclusion strategy in every music hub area.