The Arts in Schools - Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

We have developed our arguments in relation to a number of issues whichwe have summarised at points throughout the report. We want here tosummarise the forms of action they suggest.WE RECOMMEND THAT:1 The Secretaries of State for Education shoulda give equal consideration to the arts in all future state-ments about the whole curriculumb include the arts in those areas of the curriculum identifiedin The School Curriculum as needing special consideration,in view of the particular problems of provisionand status which we have identified.The artsand thecurriculum2 Recognising its substantial and legitimate commitment toScience Education in the coming years, the SchoolsCouncil should now give full consideration to ways in whichit can support and improve the practice and understandingof the arts in schools, taking account of its existing workin this area.3 Recognising the many problems which confront thedevelopment of the arts in the curriculum, Local EducationAuthorities should:a provide courses on curriculum planning and evaluationas part of in-service training provision for arts teachersb provide courses on the principles and practice of artseducation for head-teachers and others concerned withthe organisation and administration of the educationservicee ensure that cuts in spending and the economies necessitatedby falling rolls do not fall disproportionately onthe arts.The arts inprimaryschools4 Opportunities for expressive and creative work in the artsshould be more widely developed as part of the daily workof primary schools.5 Head teachers should explore ways of improving theconfidence and expertise of teachers in using the arts,specifically through encouraging members of staff withspecialist skills to act as consultants within the school.6 Records made available to middle and secondary schoolsshould include information on children's activities anddevelopment in the arts, in the primary school.142