An evidence-based approach to creating a culture of inclusive opportunity through arts and creativity - New Child of the North Report published

This report provides evidence, new ideas, and many excellent examples of existing good practice that could reverse the trend of educational disengagement and help all children feel they belong in education. This will, in turn, boost creativity, educational attainment, and social mobility. The report benefits from the work of the Durham Commission (a collaboration between Durham University and Arts Council England) convened to determine the role that creativity and creative thinking should play in education.

Creativity and the expressive arts should be part and parcel of every child’s education from primary school, and teachers need to be supported to deliver singing, music, painting, drawing, acting, and playful activities. We need to move away from the view that creative learning is a bonus. It should be a requisite of a good education. Embedding teaching for creativity into the curriculum would have a transformative impact. At a time when some children feel disengaged from what they are taught, we should be looking at arts-based approaches to the teaching of subjects like history or science. This report proposes introducing an arts premium fund to develop the existing primary school workforce and train the next generation of teachers. 

You can download the full report here.