Lack of funding spells danger for creative arts in schools
Creative arts are being squeezed out of the timetables in schools across the UK due to a lack of funding.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has warned that subjects like A-level music or drama could be in danger of disappearing altogether if action isn’t taken. Last year, just 5,610 students took A-level music, while drama was studied by 10,751 young people across England.
Geoff Barton, the ASCL’s general secretary, said: “Subjects like A-level music, French and German are hanging on by their fingertips in the state sector because schools and colleges cannot afford to run courses with relatively small numbers of students on current funding levels. Their erosion will mean we have fewer musicians and linguists in the future, and this will have a long-term impact on related industries and on the number of teachers we are able to train in these disciplines.”
The decline of the creative arts in state schools means many children and teenagers wanting to learn subjects like dance, drama and music are relying on extracurricular tuition. Theatre schools like Noodle Performance Arts, which operates franchises across the UK, are working to encourage youngsters to develop their creative sides and express themselves through performing.
And Noodle Performance Arts offers career opportunities for teachers who have become disillusioned with the lack of investment in performing arts in the state school sector.
Carla Hewitt bought a Noodle Performance Arts franchise after 11 years teaching performing arts in schools.
Carla, who now runs Noodle classes in North Sheffield, said the introduction of the English Baccalaurate (EBacc) meant pupils were being encouraged to concentrate more on core academic subjects, leaving less funding for the expressive arts.
She said: “Over the last few years working in a secondary school, I have seen a clear decline in the number of students taking GCSE Drama. There are also less jobs available for teachers working in this area and drama and the arts are being cut from the curriculum in some schools.
“One of the reasons I decided to make the move from secondary education to running my own Noodle franchise is that I am passionate about unlocking young people’s creative potential. The performing arts boost children’s confidence and self-esteem as well as help their social, cognitive,
emotional and physical development.”
Noodle Performance Arts will be attending next month’s Music & Drama Education Expo at Old Trafford in Manchester. The October 11 event, for professionals working in the performance arts education sector, recognises the importance of music and drama teaching for all ages.
Delegates will be able to find out more about the benefits of running a Noodle franchise, either alongside their existing position or as a new career move. To request a franchise prospectus, call 0800 193050 or e-mail [email protected] today.
