Arts education improves employability

HM King Charles III has always been a great supporter of the Arts.  He also recognises the importance of this type of education in schools and has convened a star-studded gathering of the great and the good from drama, music, art, dance, comedy, teaching (and politics) to create a plan for resurrecting creative arts in schools. The gathering was responding to the alarming and rapid decline of opportunities in the Arts in many schools.

We are so lucky here at LCS that we can embrace all creative opportunities and see our pupils flourish in their doing.  As I walk around the school and see pupils thinking creatively: rehearsing harvest festivals, or Midsummer Night’s Dream plays at Longdon, practising arias for an opera, dancing and singing to the sounds of the 80s, practising with school orchestra or rehearsing for the Ignite Festival, LAMDA performances and  speeches; I am so grateful that our independence gives us the opportunity to keep the lights burning for creative arts in our school.  That’s not to mention the sculptures, the clay creations, pencil drawings and paintings that adorn our walls; and indeed our own stained glass windows designed by the pupils and having pride of place at our Longdon site.

We have pupils that excel in all areas of the curriculum, but underneath the swathes of academic learning lies the ability to apply the knowledge in a creative way: to think effectively, to address an issue or problem from more than one angle, to be able to appreciate the beauty of the world around them, and be culturally enriched.  We are so thankful for independence and creativity.

The King describes arts teaching as “returning a bit of magic into our children’s lives". I couldn’t agree more and it’s also about ensuring that every pupil has the skills and creativity they need to reach the very top in whatever they decide to do. Now that’s something worth making a song and dance about!

Inservi Deo et laetare!