Schools: Music and Drama Access

Lord Storey Excerpts

Tuesday 17th December 2024 Lords Chamber

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

I thank the noble Baroness and I completely agree.

[Lord Storey (LD)]

My Lords—

[Lord Dobbs (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

We will hear from the Lib Dem Benches next.

[Lord Storey (LD)]

My Lords, creative subjects in schools have been in decline, I am afraid to say. You just have to look at the figures for, for example, drama, the importance of which for oracy, emotional development and learning is so important. Of course, as a country, our creative industries are a great success story. When the curriculum review is completed, it will be about not just the subjects but the examination requirements. If you do not include creative subjects in the examination subjects then head teachers will think that they do not need to include that subject and can save money. Will the Minister look at the recommendations from the Select Committee on the 11-16 curriculum, which unanimously agreed that the EBacc should be cancelled?

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

I thank the noble Lord and reassure him that our independent review is about the curriculum and assessment. We look forward to the recommendations that will come forward in due course. I agree with the noble Lord that this is a success story, with £124 billion as part of our economic development and 2.4 million jobs. We need to make sure we get this right.