Commenting on the publication of the interim report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, Co-CEO Claire Walker said:
“SOLT & UK Theatre’s grading for this report: ‘Lacks creativity, must try harder’.
“The Prime Minister pledged that a Labour government would ‘put creativity at the heart of the curriculum’, but this review has a long way to go if Government is to achieve a gold star.
“Labour’s manifesto promised action to ensure the arts would ‘no longer be the preserve of a privileged few,’ yet access to culture continues to shrink – especially for working-class children. Funding cuts and the marginalisation of the arts mean the current system fails to provide high-quality, equitable access to arts education.
“We strongly welcome the Review’s decision to further examine the impact of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) which restricts children’s access to the arts.
“We are encouraged by the call for greater diversity in learning materials, ensuring young people see themselves reflected in set texts – a change we and our members, have long championed. However, the report does not go far enough.
“There are outstanding examples of high-quality, arts-rich education driven by dedicated teachers and schools. But these successes happen despite the system, not because of it.
“If the arts are truly to be for everyone, we need systemic change to guarantee that every child, at every stage, has access to and can benefit from a high-quality arts education.”
Read SOLT & UK Theatre’s submission to the Curriculum and Assessment Review in full.
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