Arts in decline?

The teaching of arts in secondary education is in decline, according to a report undertaken at Warwick University entitled “Enriching Britain: Culture, Creativity and Growth”.

Advocates of the arts have argued that there is much too concentration on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based subjects.

Although the number of pupils taking Music and Art and Design GCSE had risen between 2013 and 2014, there has been a decline in the number of specialist teachers for arts subjects, as well as a fall in the amount of teaching hours.

Design and Technology, Drama, and Art & Design have all experienced a decrease of up to 11 percent in numbers of teachers, as well as a slump of between 4 percent and 6 percent in teaching hours.

Outside of the curriculum, those from lower-income families may also be losing out to those who can afford to participate in extra curricular activities involving the arts.

The report found that individuals coming from low levels of income are least likely to be engaged with the arts, both at school and at home.

Seventy-six percent of parents said that their children took part in arts clubs and cultural experiences outside of school. However there is a cost associated with these activities.

In accordance with this, 22 percent of parents in the higher social groups pay £500 plus a year on these activities compared to 10 percent of parents in middle and lower groups.

The Warwick commission recommended that several measures must be taken in order to ensure that the arts do not fall behind other subjects.

The commission proposed that, for example, that the Government should “provide an Arts and Culture Fund to match the current £45m for PE/Sport”.

In addition, the report also suggested that Ofsted should require schools to provide an “embedded cultural education for all children up to the age of 16”.

These allowances are hoped to increase the number of choices available for the most disadvantaged children.

Furthermore, the commission advised that there should be further emphasis on a broad and balanced curriculum. This will include giving further significance to the arts and bridging the gap between arts-based subjects and STEM subjects.