The news that one in 10 schools rely on voluntary donations by parents to run music and art classes is deeply troubling and sadly unsurprising (School’s creative subjects taught me the art of living, 1 February). Last month, a headteacher from Bingley Grammar school defended charging parents an extra £5 for preparing students for their music GCSE. Arts subjects develop verbal intelligence, creativity, self-expression and collaboration skills – all vital to further education and employment, even in industries you’d associate with number-crunching. Many from the finance sector, for instance, have recently come forward about its need for more creative thinkers. With the social and individual rewards of the arts being so high, it is baffling that Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman insists academic subjects are the best route to higher level study. By dismissing the value of the arts in schools we risk stunting the creative capacities of the next generation.
Louise Mitchell
CEO, Bristol Music Trust, Colston Hall, Bristol
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