Starmer promises greater emphasis on creativity in education

Labour leader Keir Starmer has pledged to introduce more creative arts to the curriculum, as part of the Labour Party’s educational reforms if it comes into power at the next general election.

Unveiling the plans at a college in Kent earlier today, Starmer said Labour would take immediate steps to encourage schools to support young people to take arts subjects until 16.

The commitment to creative education forms part of a wider pledge to overhaul the curriculum, which will also focus on digital and speaking skills, in an effort to “break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage, and shatter the class ceiling”.

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“There is a barrier, a conservatism that refuses to re-examine whether what we teach our children should keep up with the world outside,” Starmer said during his speech.

“I say in no uncertain terms: it should. So we will make sure more children study sport or a creative arts subject until they are 16.”

According to Labour’s policy briefing document, the first step towards encouraging all young people to study a broad curriculum will be ensuring one of the non-EBacc subjects included in pupil’s Progress and Attainment 8 is a creative or vocational subject.

The document says this move will help schools to “recognise the value of creativity in young people's education”.

In his speech, Starmer went on to say that a focus on creative skills is one of the ways education can protect young people from the onset of artificial intelligence.

“A greater emphasis on creativity, on resilience, on emotional intelligence and the ability to adapt – on all the attributes, to put it starkly, that make us human, that distinguish us from learning machines.” he said.

Starmer also committed to developing training and skills development through a national skills plan led by a new body, Skills England, as well as to a new growth and skills levy that supports apprenticeships.

In Labour’s policy briefing document, the creative industries were highlighted as one area, alongisde green technology, life sciences and digital, where “immense gaps” in technical skills need to be filled to prevent holding back the economy.

Reaction

Starmer’s commitment to creative education has been welcomed by figures across the sector.

Director of Culture Commons, Trevor MacFarlane, says Labour has made a firm commitment to put culture and creativity back into the curriculum where it belongs.

“All children, regardless of their postcode or background, deserve equal access to a happy and healthy creative and cultural life as a matter of social justice,” he added.

“We’ve been pushing for this for some time behind the scenes and we couldn’t be happier with the announcement this morning.”

Hannah Essex, Co-CEO of the Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, said the bodies welcome the commitment to a broader curriculum and a focus on increasing youth participation in the arts.

“Both commitments would help to inspire the audiences and theatre workforce of the future,” Essex said.

“There are huge opportunities available to young people in the theatre sector and it is essential that they are given the opportunity to explore and develop the creative and technical skills needed while at school.”

And Caroline Norbury, Creative UK Chief Executive, says she is pleased Labour has listened to the creative sector’s position on the transformative power of creativity.

“Creative learning teaches cognitive and communication skills, the ability to think both critically and creatively, and the initiative and intuition to solve complex problems. Access to meaningful creative education must be universally available for all children.”

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan dismissed Starmer’s speech as “a load of old nonsense”.

According to the BBC, she has accused Labour of offering "gimmicks that don't help children or working class children,” before adding the government was already focused on high quality education and apprenticeships to help social mobility.