The 2011 UK Arts Index Report

 

In order to download a copy of the Arts Index report you need to become a member of the NCA. The report gives a full breakdown of the data collected across 20 indicators, including in-depth anaylsis of the regional, national and UK wide picture. If you are a member, simply log in and then follow this link.

The Education select committee released its report on the introduction of the Ebacc; a new certificate which recognises A*-C GCSE grades in five traditional subjects. The Ebacc was introduced in schools in January, with the purpose of demonstrating knowledge across a balanced range of subjects, the Ebacc covers a pass in Mathematics, English, the sciences, a modern or foreign language and a humanity (such as geography or history).

Government Advocate for Access to Higher Education, Simon Hughes, released his report this week, which makes a number of recommendations to the PM and Deputy PM, on ways to improve access to higher education. The report proposes an improved scholarship scheme, greater powers for the Office of Fair Access (OFA) and annual awards of £3,000 for 10,000 students.

Following the recent recommendations made in the Wolf Review, on the provision of vocational education, the Department for Education is now inviting views from interested parties on the proposed reforms to vocational qualifications. The Wolf Review recommended that, both vocational and academic, qualifications must demonstrate where they can or cannot contribute towards performance indicators at Key Stage 4.

This week saw the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS) release a White Paper that details plans to mitigate the rise in university tuition fees by placing more power in the hands of students. As well as offering those in higher education a richer and more diverse experience, the White Paper outlines plans to make universities more accountable for their students, creating a more consumer led system and putting fee payers, ‘at the heart of education.’

The review praises Scotland’s commitment to the Gaelic language and the emphasis placed on its use in primary schools.

The Sunday Times Festival of Education is being held this weekend at Wellington College.

Art colleges across the country are taking part in the National Art and Design Saturday Club Scheme, which aims to give artistically gifted children from disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to develop their skills.

Sharon Hodgson MP (Labour) has been quizzing the Minister of State for Schools on the dwindling numbers of art teachers, and the perceived lack of support for cultural subjects in the curriculum.

The RSA has published a report into the future of further education and skills.

On Tuesday, the Lords discussed the impact of the English Baccalaureate on the study of arts subjects. 

Following the Henley Review into Music Education, Darren Henley has been asked by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to conduct a second review, this time into the provision of cultural education for 5-19 year olds.

The Drama and Theatre Manifesto recognizes a common sense of purpose and a shared belief in the contribution drama and theatre makes to the quality of children’s lives in school and beyond.

The Manifesto has been endorsed by these organisations and associations:

Action for Children’s’ Arts (ACA), Equity,   National Association of Teachers of Drama (NATD), National Association of Youth Theatres (NAYT), National Council for Drama Training (NCDT), National Drama (ND), National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Theatre Education Forum (TEF), Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) England

If you are an Organisation, you can send the manifesto on to your members and invite them to incorporate it into their practice and policy and to disseminate it to their students, participants and colleagues.  .

The Manifesto is a call to action to young people, parents, teachers and theatre practitioners to unify their efforts and ensure that young people have access to drama and theatre.

The sense of unity within the sector that the Manifesto represents is only the first step to its usefulness as an effective tool for drawing support and funding to the sector. At a time of cuts, we need to be able to advocate with clarity the successes achieved by the sector as a whole and be able to evidence why our community is of such vital importance to the UK’s cultural, educational and economic life and to the lives of individual children and young people who see or make theatre and drama

Download a copy of the Drama and Theatre Manifesto here

Visit www.dramatheatremanifesto.co.uk for more information

 

It seems apt that during the month in which we respond to Darren Henley’s review into cultural education that on Tuesday the Guardian launched the Children’s Manifesto. The manifesto comes as a result of a recent during which the Guardian asked children across the country about what type of school they would like. Areas of particular interest within the manifesto included a call for creative and colourful learning environments as well as the need for greater flexibility within the school day for favoured subjects, pupils also emphasised the importance of cultural experiences, food and music.

To read the Children’s Manifesto in full please click here

To read more about the Guardian The school I’d like series click here

 

Following the Henley Review into Music Education, Darren Henley has been asked by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to conduct a second review, this time into the provision of cultural education for 5-19 year olds. The review will be seeking evidence from teachers, parents and pupils, alongside input from those working in cultural education, whether individually or part of an organisation.

 

For details of how to respond to the cultural education review click here.

 

The NCA will be responding to the consultation and would like members to share their views with us. Please send your comments to: campaigns@artscampaign.org.uk no later than NOON on Thursday 12th May 2011

Following the Henley Review into Music Education, Darren Henley has been asked by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to conduct a second review, this time into the provision of cultural education for 5-19 year olds.

Following the Henley Review into Music Education, Darren Henley has been asked by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to conduct a second review, this time into the provision of cultural education for 5-19 year olds.

Last Friday, Ed Vaizey announced the launch of a review of cultural education to be led by Darren Henley of Classic FM. 

The NCA would like to remind members of the deadline for responses to the Department of Education’s Review of the National Curriculum.

The NCA would like to remind members of the deadline for responses to the Department of Education’s Review of the National Curriculum.