There appears to be a growing narrative in our education system, which questions the impact of narrowing the scope of education to focus on what some see as the fundamental and easily measurable outcomes of schooling – reading, writing and numeracy. From multiple quarters, writers are asserting that the creative thinking skills that can be developed through arts education are vital in today’s world.
Furthermore, research shows that those for whom the Arts is embedded in their lives are often using divergent thinking, a thought process that explores all possible solutions to generate creative ideas. Arts education can help students do this by encouraging them to develop into more independent and resourceful learners.
It is not only their creative and artistic skills that are developed via the Arts, however – they can have a positive impact on every subject.  A  report  by the Carnegie Foundation of The Advancement of Teaching found, for example, that pupils who regularly participate in the Arts are four times more likely to take part in Maths and Science events, or win an award for writing an essay or poem, when compared to children who do not. Hence, we should see the Arts as not only as vehicle for developing creativity, but also as an opportunity for children to broaden their horizons, develop as young people and foster thinking and skills that can be employed across their school lives. I wonder if similar knock on effects are also associated with participation in Sport, too?