There are moments in arts education that remind us exactly why this work matters. Kids Go Classical! – a recent concert at the Sheldonian Theatre, led by Oxford Opera Company – was one of those moments. Described as “joyful, life-affirming and magical”, the concert brought together 148 local children aged…
The future structure of work and what it means for education Our education curricula were devised when the expectation was that children leaving school would be employed by companies or go to university and then be employed by companies. AI is turning these assumptions on their head. It is…
What is metacognition? Can the arts help? Metacognition is often defined as “thinking about thinking”. In education, it’s seen as one of the three components of self-regulated learning and it involves encouraging pupils to think explicitly about their own learning. Metacognition is also relevant when doing arts subjects. It helps children…
Teachers in Reception are increasingly reporting that many children are starting school without being ready for it. Now the charity Kindred Squared has produced its latest report on school readiness. Primary school teachers reported more children are joining reception not ‘school ready’. Last year the survey found 37% of children were not ready…
The Cultural Learning Alliance and the Royal Shakespeare Company along with a number of Midlands Universities have reviewed over 1000 studies to see what difference it makes to children if schools are arts-rich. This power-point presentation summarises that review: https://www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CLA-Capabilities-Framework_Extended-Version.pdf It is conclusive: schools that are arts rich perform better…
The Impact of the Arts on Memory A study by M.M. Hardiman and colleagues, published in Trends in Neuroscience and Education, reports on a randomised control trial carried out in Atlanta, USA, in 2013. The study found that arts-integrated instruction significantly improves the long-term retention of academic content, offering compelling…
OFSTED has backed a ban on social media for under-16s, with its chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver signalling support for an Australian-style restriction. Sir Martyn Oliver has warned that social media is chipping away at children’s attention spans, eroding the patience needed for learning and contributing to disrespectful attitudes and…
On 9 January 2026, The Times published a powerful article by Richard Morrison highlighting a stark and troubling reality: in some English state schools, spending on arts education has fallen to as little as £1 per pupil per year. It is a figure that should stop us all in our…
The Times Magazine on Dec 20 carried an article about Dr Nichani, a consultant at Leicester Children’s Hospital who has been doing research in to the reason ADHD diagnoses have been rising. He is horrified by the surge in anxiety, attention deficit disorders and social withdrawal in children. He says…
The “Arts in Schools: Foundations for the Future” report (https://www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/The-Arts-in-Schools-full-report-2023.pdf) highlights that while arts are crucial for well-being, skills, and academics, access to the arts in English state schools is declining due to narrow accountability, creating a two-tier system. Key findings stress the need for a balanced education valuing the “whole…