Reform to our education system is needed now, with cultural organisations embedding themselves in communities to deliver lasting change.
There is overwhelming public support for arts in schools. We know – we’ve been doing the research over the summer. Over 80% of UK adults believe all children should have routine access to high-quality creative activities in school. 64% agree cutting arts in schools harms children’s confidence and communication, whilst nearly 70% of Gen Z and Millennials (people born after 1982) say that access to arts in school built their confidence and resilience.
As a new school year begins, we say that now is the time to act. Despite a modest increase in students taking performing arts the long-term trend remains in decline; since 2010, the proportion of GCSE entries in arts subjects (such as music, dance and drama) has almost halved. In our view, one of the best solutions is to facilitate more initiatives that follow the blueprint of our radical residency at Acland Burghley School with the support of the UK Government, councils, charities and foundations.
"We can’t afford to see this as job done."
Crispin Woodhead, CEO
Why taking action now is so important.
Here’s some thoughts from Crispin Woodhead, our CEO, on why we’re calling for this action:
“It’s encouraging to see more young people taking up music and performing arts in GCSEs this year – especially as we know creativity is one of the top skills employers are looking for. But we can’t afford to see this as job done.
“This moderate improvement, together with our new research, shows that the public clearly values the arts just as much as core academic subjects. Working with and at Acland Burghley, we see every day how embedding the arts improves confidence, resilience and opportunity for young people – and those benefits ripple out into the whole community.
“Our story is not just about one school or one orchestra: it’s about how cultural groups can rethink their role in society and bring the arts to the wider community.
“We are still the only professional orchestra in the UK to be permanently based in a state secondary school. Since moving into Acland Burghley School here in Camden, we have worked with the leadership to build an ambitious arts curriculum that has driven greater uptake of arts subjects at GCSE and beyond – bucking the long-term national decline. In the past year alone, 540 students engaged directly with OAE projects. This boosts student wellbeing and supported the school in achieving the 2024 Artsmark Platinum Award for excellence in arts education.”
We are calling for reform and for a bold rethink of how culture and society can work together.
Our latest collaboration, Breaking Bach, is the most compelling proof of this model in action. Premiering to a sold-out audience at the Edinburgh International Festival, and touring to Bucharest in September, it was created and performed by Acland Burghley students working alongside OAE musicians, professional dancers and leading international choreographer Kim Brandstrup. This is not an extracurricular showcase but a professional commission: the students are paid for their work, and several are now pursuing careers in dance.
Breaking Bach demonstrates how embedding the arts in everyday school life does more than inspire – it connects communities and creates real-world opportunities. The experience sits alongside other OAE projects such as Dreamchasing Young Producers and Musical Connections, which give students the chance to create, perform and deliver professional-level work as part of their day-to-day education.
Our research makes clear that the public wants change. We are calling for reform and for a bold rethink of how culture and society can work together.
Key stats and facts.
Here are some of the key stats from our research.
- 82% of UK adults believe all children should have routine access to high-quality creative activities in school
- 64% agree cutting arts in schools harms children’s confidence and communication
- 64% believe arts subjects are just as valuable as core subjects like Maths and English.
- 54% of UK adults say that access to the arts at school helped shape their confidence, resilience or personal development – rising to 69% among Gen Z.
- 45% describe the arts as one of the most valuable parts of their school experience, with that figure climbing to 61% for Gen Z.
These are some of the other stats and facts referenced in the blog:
- GCSE results for 2025 showed that performing arts entries across the UK rose by 8% and music by 6% compared to last year.
- However, despite this modest improvement, the longer-term decline remains. Since 2010, the proportion of GCSE entries in arts subjects has almost halved, from 13.4% of all entries to just 7.1% in 2024.
- Since 2010, changes in school accountability measures (eg EBacc and Progress 8) combined with tightened budgets have created a climate which has made it difficult for schools to invest in the arts.
- Last year, more than 40% of English state schools entered no pupils at all for GCSE music or drama.
The research was commissioned by the OAE and conducted by Opinium in July 2025. The sample size was 2,000 UK adults and the results have been weighted to be nationally representative.
GCSE and A-level subject entry figures from 2010–2025 are drawn from Department for Education/Ofqual data and Campaign for the Arts analysis.
If you have any questions about the above please email us at press@oae.co.uk
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