The Researching the Arts in Primary Schools Project

Thomson, Pat; Hall, Christine; Maloy, Liam

Abstract

Arts-rich primary schools are highly diverse. There is no one way to be arts-rich. However, there are patterns across the schools that can inform other schools and the school system more generally.

Arts-rich schools offer art and music to all children every week and every year. They also offer other expressive arts subjects. Arts-rich schools offer a wide range of extra-curricular arts activities and special events; these are complementary to the regular arts programme.

The expressive arts are integral to the schools’ identities and their philosophies. They all see the expressive arts as integral to a broad and balanced curriculum.

Commitment to the expressive arts does not come at the expense of other subject learning. The majority of the arts-rich schools we studied did at least as well as, if not better, than equivalent schools and schools in their local authority. Children’s success across the full range of subjects was recognised in their inspection ratings.

Key to the schools’ arts-richness was the commitment of senior leaders, and the appointment of specialist staff with expertise. Specialist staff taught an arts subject, planned the arts curriculum and supported classroom teachers.

Arts-rich schools go against the grain of research evidence that most primary classroom teachers do not feel confident teaching expressive arts subjects: generalist classroom teachers in arts- rich schools felt confident in teaching a range of expressive arts subjects.

Arts-rich schools are notable for the depth and density of their arts leadership. Children and governors contribute to this depth and density by working with arts specialists.

Arts-rich schools have strong, ongoing relationships and partnerships with artists and cultural organisations. These add to the specialist expertise within the school and enhance children’s learning.

Citation

Thomson, P., Hall, C., & Maloy, L. (in press). The Researching the Arts in Primary Schools Project. arts primary.com: Freelands Foundation

• Report Type: Project Report
• Acceptance Date: Dec 27, 2024
• Deposit Date: Dec 27, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 9, 2025
• Pages: 100
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/43362827