A new report published by the N8 Research Partnership and the Centre for Young Lives calls for a new era of creativity and the arts in schools, boosting the creative economy and providing new opportunities to children whose talents are at risk of being wasted.

An evidence-based approach to creating a culture of inclusive opportunity through arts and creativity is the twelfth and final report from the Child of the North campaign. The campaign has published a series of reports with aims to set out practical, evidence-informed ways in which the government can reset its vision for children and young people.

As contributing academics, the Centre for Cultural Value’s Stephen Dobson and Ben Walmsley played a part in sharing their knowledge and expertise with the report’s editorial team.

The analysis included in the report reveals that:

• 42% of schools are no longer entering pupils for GCSE Music, 41% no longer enter pupils for GCSE Drama, and 84% of schools don’t offer GCSE Dance
• 93% of children are being excluded from arts and cultural education due to a lack of funding in state schools
• Children from the most affluent backgrounds are three times more likely to sing in a choir or play in a band/orchestra than those in deprived areas
• Participation in extracurricular activities has decreased from 46% to 37% since the pandemic

The report also emphasises the need for a cultural shift towards a more inclusive, creative education system that can increase students’ sense of belonging, improve mental health, and combat absenteeism.

Cultivating creativity and enriching education

The final report sets out a series of government recommendations, touching on three key policy areas:

1. Cultivating creativity and critical thinking through inclusive education
2. Increasing arts investment to create an inclusive education system
3. Enriching education by connecting schools to cultural institutions

Together, the recommendations aim to enrich children’s experiences and support a new generation of creatives, expanding the UK’s cultural and arts industries and boosting economic growth.

The report also showcases innovative, evidence-based approaches to boosting opportunities for children and young people, including case studies from Mortal Fools, The Roundhouse, and Dance Action Zone Leeds.

Discover more about the campaign and read the full report.

To learn more about research into the value of lifelong cultural engagement, take a look at our research digest.

Image credit: Leeds Playhouse