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Written question asked by Shivani Raja (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 July 2026. It was answered by Georgia Gould (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Arts: Education

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) performing arts and (b) creative subjects on the achievement of soft skills; and what steps her Department is taking to improve (i) resilience, (ii) ambition, and (iii) communication in secondary schools.

Answer

The department recognises the value of music and the arts in supporting wellbeing and engagement, and that participation in the arts can bring a range of benefits for children and young people. Furthermore, the Education Endowment Fund’s teaching and learning toolkit reports that it can have a positive impact on academic outcomes in other curriculum areas, as well as benefits to children’s wellbeing and attitudes to learning.

The government believes creative subjects like music, art and design, dance and drama are important elements of the rounded and enriching education every child deserves. We will revitalise arts education as part of the reformed national curriculum and through high-quality support for teachers of arts subjects.

For secondary schools, the reformed curriculum will strengthen pupils’ subject-specific skills, including critical thinking, creative thinking and problem solving. A strengthened key stage 3 curriculum, alongside a new secondary oracy, reading and writing framework and enrichment entitlement, will help pupils build confidence, develop communication skills and broaden their horizons.

The government's consultation on key stage 4 performance measures included proposals intended to increase recognition of creative subjects within the accountability system, reflecting the important contribution they make to a broad and balanced curriculum. The government is considering the consultation feedback and will publish its response in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18776
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Education Arts Standards Schools Secondary education
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk