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The Case for Arts Education in Schools

On 27 November 2014, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the following motion:

“that this House takes note of the case for arts education in schools”

Information presented in this Note has been compiled to provide background reading for Members ahead of the debate.

Commentators have stated that the value of the arts and culture, both in schools and more generally, is difficult to quantify. However, despite this, several studies using an evidence based approach have been conducted on the issue. A selection of these studies is summarised in this Note, together with an outline of government activity relating to arts education, the Opposition position on this issue and a brief synopsis of sector opinion on government reforms to arts education in schools.