Schools in England Delivering An Arts-Rich Education

photography by Debra Hall Creative

After speaking to a number of schools offering an arts rich education, across England, The RSA Organisation have produced a report (published 27 January 2020), which highlights 8 inspiring schools that are actively engaging pupils in The Arts across the board. Some are channeling the running of the school day and the teaching in creative ways. The formal set-ups of the schools, and the way they are funded differ - some are primary schools, the others are secondary (Riddlesdown Collegiate and Shaftesbury with sixth form). Nonetheless, in all 8 cases, 'The Arts' is more of a lead and a focus than is generally the case:

• Gomersal Primary School pupils have half a day a week of specialist arts teaching. “The art room allows students to put a different hat on and learn in a different atmosphere with a different set of rules,” one teacher told us. The school also promotes student voice in the arts through their ‘Arts Council’.
• Music is at the centre of Feversham Primary Academy in Bradford, with at least three lessons a week for all pupils in the dedicated music room and subsidised instrumental music lessons. Teachers use the evidence-informed Kodály method (exercises and games based on rhythm and singing) across the curriculum.
• Ramsgate Arts Primary School is a free school which has placed arts at the centre of the curriculum. The school day has been extended to accommodate an ‘Arts Curriculum’ every Monday to Thursday afternoon. The school has partnerships with local galleries and practicing artists who work as teaching assistants.
• Classrooms are named after famous artists at Putnoe Primary School in Bedford. Unusually for a primary school, the staff structure includes an arts team of specialist teachers and teaching assistants. The school has seven school performances a year and has been awarded a Platinum Artsmark.
• Riddlesdown Collegiate has a ‘college’ and separate building focused on the Creative and Performing Arts. A student told us it was “a place to let go, to be free, to express yourself. A haven for those who don’t fit in”.
• Global Academy in Hayes is a University Technical College sponsored by media company Global. Students have regular contact with people in broadcasting and access to state-of-the-art media equipment: “I think it is transforming some students’ lives...that push towards getting into the creative industries.”
• Formby High School in Liverpool offers a wide range of GCSE arts subjects with no limit on how many pupils can study. There is extensive outreach to local primary schools through a community arts coordinator, and Formby students have a range of opportunities to build cultural capital. “I didn’t used to be that confident, so Performing Arts have helped,” said one student.
• Shaftesbury School in Dorset has established arts education as part of its Church of England school requirement to help students “discover life in all its fullness.” The secondary school has a dedicated arts teaching team who join up activities across the arts subjects, for example, bringing textiles expertise to fine arts lessons.

The Report is available as a Download pdf file