“Class gap” holds back young people from the arts, finds research

A man standing in front of a camera and microphone
10 Aug 2018

Two reports commissioned by Arts Council England found that cost and lack of confidence are major barriers to youth engagement.

First encounters with opera

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12 Jul 2018

Many children steer well clear of opera, but the artform has allowed primary school pupils in Norfolk to discover new heights of confidence and creativity. Genevieve Raghu explains how.

A role for the commercial sector

Photo of people at concert with arms outstretched
12 Jul 2018

Clare Edwards argues that commercial organisations can extend access to music education - without compromising on quality.

Exploring mental health through dance

Photo of man and young people in dance studio
12 Jul 2018

A project in three Manchester secondary schools engaged students in discussions about mental health and enabled them to develop their own creative responses through dance and movement. Kevin Edward Turner tells the story.

Making learning messy

People stand next to a row of objects on the floor
12 Jul 2018

A training programme in Wales is helping teachers create environments of "constructive chaos" that their pupils can thrive in, reports David Baxter.

Putting the arts back into the classroom

Photo of school children in hall with pieces of card in hand
10 Jul 2018

A new cultural curriculum in Bristol aims to reverse the decline in arts education. Phil Castang explains how the creative arts can enrich the teaching of STEM subjects.

Russell Group universities urged to revise A level subject advice

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06 Jul 2018

ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts told peers the current selection of ‘facilitating subjects’ was not based on evidence and had skewed students’ A level choices.

Arts teacher numbers plummet by almost a quarter

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05 Jul 2018

9,000 secondary school arts teachers have left their jobs in England since 2011.

Early successes for Wales’ creative learning plan

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01 Jun 2018

An interim report for the five-year programme is positive, but warns there will be challenges to maintaining the programme once financial support comes to an end.

EXCLUSIVE: Collapse in GCSE arts subjects gathers pace

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29 May 2018

The fall in entry numbers for GCSE arts subjects has reached record levels, but an Ofqual report understates dramatic losses in design and technology.

Teacher of the year: ‘We must make parents value arts in schools’

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25 May 2018

The comments, made at a panel event on arts education, come as the RSA launches a new network of cultural practitioners to better support the use of evidence in education.

Ofsted culture lead: ‘I’ve not seen arts side-lined in schools’

Photo of Child arts
11 May 2018

The newly appointed National Lead for Visual and Performing Arts said she would wait to hear the views of inspectors from across the country before drawing conclusions about the national state of arts education.

A technical route into the arts

Photo of two young people holding cables
10 May 2018

Sara Whybrew explores the impact that the new T Level qualifications – an alternative to apprenticeships or A Levels – may have on the arts sector.

Developing home-grown talent

Photo of large group of young people outside pop-up venue
10 May 2018

With over 80% of staff under 30, Lincoln Performing Arts Centre’s workforce is relatively young. Craig Morrow reveals how providing training and clear progression routes have been key to its success.

A continuous talent stream

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03 May 2018

At the very heart of Jasmin Vardimon Company is a dedication to education and nurturing talent. Lauren Baldock explains who benefits and how.

New partnership to promote diversity in music education

Photo of Musical Mums
27 Apr 2018

The Alliance for a Musically Inclusive England will aim to remove barriers and give young people ownership of musical learning.

Creative learning scheme targets city schools

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17 Apr 2018

A £120k pilot scheme will see ten Northern Ireland secondary schools collaborate with artists on a range of projects to improve wellbeing and increase interest in cultural careers.

Arts side-lined in Sector Deal for the creative industries

Photo of man in empty gallery
29 Mar 2018

The £150m Creative Industries Sector Deal supports the development of creative clusters and the roll out of a creative careers programme but prioritises digital businesses over culture.

Classical music education for the 21st century

Photo of hands playing piano
22 Mar 2018

ABRSM’s grade eight piano exam syllabus features no women composers this year. Anna Bull calls for music education to start celebrating classical music as a living tradition.

New moves to halt decline of arts in primary schools

Photo of teacher and pupils
09 Mar 2018

Arts education professionals and politicians met this week as a first step to tackling the structural problems causing the arts to be neglected in many schools. 

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