---

Children and Young People: Arts and Exercise

Answer

Regular attendance at school is vital for children's education, wellbeing and long-term development. The foundation of securing good attendance is that school is a calm, orderly, safe, and supportive environment where all pupils want to be and are keen and ready to learn. This includes the positive impact that the curriculum as a whole can have to support children's attendance and engagement.

The government published the School Sport and Activity Action Plan update in July. The action plan is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-sport-and-activity-action-plan. It sets out next steps and further detail for school leaders and teachers on how the government will support them to improve the quality of PE and school sport and to deliver 2 hours of PE a week. This will help all pupils to engage in physical activity and meet the Chief Medical Officers’ recommendations of 60 active minutes a day.

The government published the National Plan for Music Education last year, setting a clear expectation on schools to deliver 1 hour a week of timetabled music for key stages 1 to 3, alongside opportunities to learn to sing, play an instrument, and take part in choirs and ensembles. This is backed by £79 million of funding per year for Music Hubs to 2025 and £25 million for music instruments. The plan is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-power-of-music-to-change-lives-a-national-plan-for-music-education.

The government expects all schools to teach a broad and ambitious curriculum that encompasses the arts, such as art and design, drama and dance. The department will be publishing a Cultural Education Plan in the coming months, working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England. The Plan will focus on how the government can support participation and progression in a wide range of arts subjects and activities, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and in underrepresented groups. It will also support young people who wish to pursue careers in the creative, cultural, and heritage industries.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

2618

Session

2023-24

Subjects

Children Arts Schools Young people Exercise

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk