Should we stop teaching creative subjects at secondary schools?

The government are reforming GCSE's to the Ebacc ( English Baccalaureate), it has already started, but by 2015 Michael Gove wants the curriculum to consists of five pillars, where creative subjects are not included. The creative industry and colleges are campaigning to include a sixth pillar, which includes the creative subjects.

If you think we should be including creative subjects, please get involved and spread the word.

http://includedesign.org/press-and-events/#6minutes

A quote from a Guardian article "A recent poll by Ipsos Mori shows that over the last year alone 27% of schools cut courses as a direct result of the Ebacc measure. The previous year the figure was even higher at 45%. Of the courses cut, drama, performing arts, art and design, and design and technology are the worst hit."

(http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture-professionals-network/culture-pro...)

I would be really interested in people's views regarding this.

Views: 946

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Indeed Andrea, especially true with maths as students are often only interested in if answer is 'right' rather than the process used to get to the solution. I think learning processes rather than understanding the reasoning behind the method can led to a very shallow knowledge base. Surely developing creative skills and thinking is as essential part of education.

Theresa
Learning to pass instead of learning to gain proper understanding is what I feel can happen too much and I myself have been guilty of it, as the pressure of 'getting it right' is so much that you just want to get through it. I think we can treat getting an answer wrong as a failure, as a bad thing and not as a learning experience, which can actually enhance your overall understanding.
That is a really important point Andrea. Now, when doing functional skills numeracy tests, most of the marks are given for showing working (often, there are many ways to get to the 'right' answer) with a very small amount of the marks for the answers. I think this is absolutely the correct way to proceed when testing! In fact, one of the text books that I use does not have answers so that students don't get too bogged down with being 'right'.

Theresa

I'm with you, Ann! He was very inspirational. I was about to post this link for Andrea. Happy New Year x 

Creative subjects are to be excluded from the curriculum? In short (and I want to rant and rant about this) it's a travesty. A revolution is needed, desperately.

Your opinions are very welcome Keeley, so feel free, no need to hold back. How would you start the revolution, what would you do?

Teaching is creative. Teachers are creative. I am sure there must be so many professionals outraged by this.  As for the revolution, I think about this a lot. I wish I knew the answer. But maybe a start would be for disgruntled professionals to talk to each other, unite and say NO. Collectively, they are in a position of power.  However, this is difficult when 'the work ethic' and admirable sense of duty towards students and wider society is unavoidable but this really is important. We need to act collectively. And talk to parents/carers.  From experience when my sons were younger, it was heartbreaking to listen to mums at the school gate worrying sick because their child wouldn't sit still or wasn't up to speed with numeracy and literacy yet showed a real flare for art, dancing, and so on, and were great little conversationalists. Educational establishments, students and parents/carers uniting and saying no. Peacefully but resolutely, no. For as long as it takes. We need to reclaim the power. By draining individuals of their creativity 'they' are draining them of their spirit and therefore 'fight'. But I really don't know the answer; how I wish I did!

I agree Lucy!

Hi All,

As a collective we have to deal with the extraction of arts and culture from the education of our children. It is the richness it provides that is SO valuable. Just take a look at the Turner Prize acceptance speech from Elizabeth Price... And, Jude Law's initial introduction, where he was equally eloquent regarding the demise of art in schools.

Like other industries, the 'creative' may leave our shores, not because it's 'cheaper to make abroad' but because no one will be qualified to do it!!! AND THAT IS TERRIBLE.

I agree it's up to all of us to actively encourage creativity within education and following that through to the work place, developing and giving it the freedom it needs, not marginalising and devaluing its worth. When we have an abundance of creativity here, to lose this will have an affect on us all.

"When it comes to design, the UK is home to some of the world's biggest talent."

(http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2007/sep/01/design)
Of course we should teach it!! That's why there is a demand for it, we are all creative in many different ways, and as a nation do we not have some of the most iconic fashion houses, designers or artists in this country??
For many learners being creative is their passion, it's a release, why should we quash a dream of someone's?
Teaching is changing all the time as is the way we teach it, if our teachers were not creative, learners would not enjoy it, from learning inspires passion, passion inspires creation, creation inspires further learning....

I love that last line Tracy "from learning inspires passion, passion inspires creation, creation inspires further learning" that should be the mantra for every place of education.

The creative subjects are a way of communicating so I do think they should be embraced as much as the more traditional subjects of communication are, such as English and foreign language.  

RSS

Report

Win at School

Commercial Policy

If you are representing a commercial entity, please see the specific guidelines on your participation.

Badge

Loading…

Follow

Awards:

© 2024   Created by Steve Hargadon.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service