Schools: Music and Drama Access

Earl of Clancarty Excerpts

Tuesday 17th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

It is essential that our education system enables children and young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes required to thrive and be ready for life and work. The independent curriculum review will ensure children enjoy a richer, broader, cutting-edge curriculum that gives them strong foundations in core subjects and the opportunity to enjoy creative subjects. This will build on our commitment to high standards, ensuring that no child or young person is left behind. It is our goal that the arts are accessible to all and not the preserve of a privileged few.

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords, does the Minister recognise that the single most significant thing that the Government can do to boost the arts is to scrap the EBacc?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I thank the noble Earl for his question; the civil servants will be delighted that this was raised. As we are undertaking a curriculum review and looking at everything in the round, I look forward to coming back with an update in due course after we publish the curriculum review next year.