House of Commons · Westminster Hall
18 December 2024 · 11 other contributors · 9,092 words
Opened by Jessica Brown-Fuller Lib Dem Chichester
Responding minister: Janet Daby
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Jessica Brown-Fuller raised concerns about creative arts education in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Brown-Fuller calls on the Government to reform the English baccalaureate and reintegrate arts education into the core curriculum. She also asks for further work on integrating in-school and out-of-school provision of arts education, such as additional funding for music hubs to include dance and drama.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Jessica Brown-Fuller is concerned about the decline in arts subjects such as drama, music, and design and technology since the introduction of the English baccalaureate. She cites statistics showing a 29% decrease in drama GCSE entries, a 24% decrease in music, and a 65% reduction in design and technology subjects. The MP highlights class inequalities in access to creative industries, noting that independent schools provide better arts education compared to state schools.
Creative arts significantly improve students' mental health and academic achievement; however, there has been a 42% decline in the number of arts GCSE entries under the previous Government. Halesowen College offers a variety of vocational creative arts courses and state-of-the-art facilities for young people to develop their talents.
He expressed concern over the decline in music education since 2010, noting a 30% decrease in GCSE entries and a 43% drop in A-level entries. He highlighted that music is often taught by unqualified teachers and called for an urgent review of music hubs to ensure high standards.
Questions how to best encourage people to enter creative professions, suggesting investment in buildings and education as potential solutions.
Highlights the importance of STEAM education in unlocking creativity in science and technology through the inclusion of arts, drawing from her experience in Falmouth with a world-leading arts university. Cornwall is rich in the creative arts, with world-class institutions like Falmouth University. The inclusion of the creative industry as an economic driver is significant. Creative education enhances skills development, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial capabilities, stimulating local businesses and revitalising regions. Programs such as Player Ready Truro support neurodivergent children by providing them with arts tuition to help them integrate back into regular schooling.
Praised the hon. Member for Chichester for setting a well-rounded scene and highlighted Northern Ireland's creative talents, including its strong tradition of flute playing and the success of the Arts Council's creative schools programme in 11 secondary schools since late 2022.
Commends the hon. Lady for her work and suggests that many wonderful venues could be developed across towns and cities, highlighting Reading Gaol as an example with potential to offer arts provision.
Munira Wilson highlighted the importance of creative education in schools, noting that there are now 15,000 fewer full and part-time teachers of arts subjects than in 2010. She mentioned a decline in GCSE and A-level enrolment for arts subjects between 2010 and 2023, emphasizing the need to address inequalities in access to creative education.
Mr O'Brien congratulated the hon. Member for Chichester on securing the debate and expressed gratitude to teachers for their hard work. He inquired about the future of the music and dance scheme, requesting clarity on its continuation beyond the academic year. Mr O'Brien also discussed the challenge of fitting additional creative subjects into an already tight school schedule, emphasizing the need for honest discussions about trade-offs.
Praised the rich heritage of art and creativity in East Thanet, highlighting contributions from artists like Tracey Emin and Vincent van Gogh. Criticised the English baccalaureate and progress 8 for reducing arts-related subjects and urged the Department to scrap them during curriculum review. Emphasised private schools' value on creative education despite only educating 7% of the population. Highlighted the importance of creative sector for those with special educational needs, mentioning Sammy's Foundation's work in teaching heritage craft skills to neurodivergent young people. Art should not be seen as an easy subject but rather as fundamental to the human condition. It is not just an economic driver but essential to education and understanding. Polly Billington intervened to question why there is not enough time for creative education in state schools if private schools manage to incorporate it into their curriculum, suggesting that the importance of creative subjects should be recognized universally.
He discussed the positive impact of arts on mental health and academic performance, citing a £600,000 investment in creative prescriptions by the Gloucestershire integrated care board. He also pointed out inequalities in music education provision and highlighted several local organisations supporting music teaching.
The creative arts industry generates £126 billion in gross value added to the economy, but there has been a decline of 47% in GCSE entries for arts subjects. The number of creative jobs in Kent increased by 24% over five years with 35% in IT and computer services sectors. Investment is needed in gaming technologies and e-sports, which represent significant growth opportunities.
Government Response
Janet DabyThe Minister expressed appreciation for contributions, emphasizing the Government's commitment to ensuring a curriculum that includes music, art, sports, drama, and vocational subjects. She noted an independent review led by Professor Becky Francis CBE to deliver a broader curriculum with improved access. The Minister mentioned initiatives such as a new national music education network and changes to the music and dance scheme for families with below average incomes.