Asked by: Earl of Clancarty (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will introduce the arts premium outlined in the most recent Conservative Party manifesto.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
This government is committed to high quality education for all pupils, and integral to this are the arts and music.
The Autumn Statement announced additional investment of £2 billion in each of 2023/24 and 2024/25, over and above totals announced at the 2021 Spending Review.
This means funding for both mainstream schools and high needs is £3.5 billion higher in 2023/24, compared to 2022/23. That funding is on top of the £4 billion, year-on-year increase provided in 2022/23. In total, this represents an increase of £7.5 billion, or over 15%, in schools’ funding in just two years.
Arts education is integral to the school system and the department will also continue to invest around £115 million per annum in cultural education to 2025, through our music, arts and heritage programmes. Consideration for an Arts Premium will be given in due course.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to allow pupils who attend schools where is it not viable to offer an A-level in music due to low pupil demand to continue their studies in that subject up to A-level.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department believes in a high quality education for all pupils. Integral to this is cultural education, which includes drama, dance, music and art. All state funded schools are required to teach a broad and balanced curriculum.
All pupils should have the opportunity to study arts subjects at GCSE and A level if they wish to do so, including music. It is up to individual schools and colleges to decide which Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 courses to offer. They may wish to work together with other schools and colleges to maximise choice.
The Government published the National Plan for Music Education last year. The new plan sets out clear actions to improve music education through to 2030, including providing £79 million of funding per year for the Music Hubs programme, up to and including 2024/25, as well as £25 million of capital funding for music instruments.
The National Plan includes the Model Music Curriculum (MMC), published in March 2021, available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/974358/Model_Music_Curriculum_Key_Stage_1__2_FINAL.pdf. The MMC provides a blueprint for progression through primary and secondary towards GCSE and other qualifications. The Plan is clear that undertaking formal music qualifications at school, college or elsewhere can be one way to unlock careers in music for young people. Where a pupil wishes to pursue music beyond Key Stage 3, head teachers should have a clear understanding of how their school or college enables the study of music at Key Stage 4 and beyond, including provision of music GCSE, A level and/or technical awards wherever possible.
The Department will also be publishing a Cultural Education Plan in 2023, working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England. The Plan will focus on how the Government can support participation and progression in a wide range of arts subjects and activities, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and in underrepresented groups. It will also support young people who wish to pursue careers in the creative, cultural, and heritage industries.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to ensure that all students up to Year 11 participate in art and creative subjects during the school week.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department believes in a high quality education for all pupils. Integral to this is cultural education, which includes drama, dance, music and art. All state funded schools are required to teach a broad and balanced curriculum.
All pupils should have the opportunity to study arts subjects at GCSE and A level if they wish to do so, including music. It is up to individual schools and colleges to decide which Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 courses to offer. They may wish to work together with other schools and colleges to maximise choice.
The Government published the National Plan for Music Education last year. The new plan sets out clear actions to improve music education through to 2030, including providing £79 million of funding per year for the Music Hubs programme, up to and including 2024/25, as well as £25 million of capital funding for music instruments.
The National Plan includes the Model Music Curriculum (MMC), published in March 2021, available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/974358/Model_Music_Curriculum_Key_Stage_1__2_FINAL.pdf. The MMC provides a blueprint for progression through primary and secondary towards GCSE and other qualifications. The Plan is clear that undertaking formal music qualifications at school, college or elsewhere can be one way to unlock careers in music for young people. Where a pupil wishes to pursue music beyond Key Stage 3, head teachers should have a clear understanding of how their school or college enables the study of music at Key Stage 4 and beyond, including provision of music GCSE, A level and/or technical awards wherever possible.
The Department will also be publishing a Cultural Education Plan in 2023, working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England. The Plan will focus on how the Government can support participation and progression in a wide range of arts subjects and activities, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and in underrepresented groups. It will also support young people who wish to pursue careers in the creative, cultural, and heritage industries.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to increase the availability of music education for all students up to Year 11.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department believes in a high quality education for all pupils. Integral to this is cultural education, which includes drama, dance, music and art. All state funded schools are required to teach a broad and balanced curriculum.
All pupils should have the opportunity to study arts subjects at GCSE and A level if they wish to do so, including music. It is up to individual schools and colleges to decide which Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 courses to offer. They may wish to work together with other schools and colleges to maximise choice.
The Government published the National Plan for Music Education last year. The new plan sets out clear actions to improve music education through to 2030, including providing £79 million of funding per year for the Music Hubs programme, up to and including 2024/25, as well as £25 million of capital funding for music instruments.
The National Plan includes the Model Music Curriculum (MMC), published in March 2021, available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/974358/Model_Music_Curriculum_Key_Stage_1__2_FINAL.pdf. The MMC provides a blueprint for progression through primary and secondary towards GCSE and other qualifications. The Plan is clear that undertaking formal music qualifications at school, college or elsewhere can be one way to unlock careers in music for young people. Where a pupil wishes to pursue music beyond Key Stage 3, head teachers should have a clear understanding of how their school or college enables the study of music at Key Stage 4 and beyond, including provision of music GCSE, A level and/or technical awards wherever possible.
The Department will also be publishing a Cultural Education Plan in 2023, working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England. The Plan will focus on how the Government can support participation and progression in a wide range of arts subjects and activities, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and in underrepresented groups. It will also support young people who wish to pursue careers in the creative, cultural, and heritage industries.
Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the threshold criteria for capital funding for arts and culture projects in Northern Ireland under the Community Ownership Fund in the context of the size of that sector relative to its counterpart in Great Britain.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
Applications to the Community Ownership Fund (COF) are assessed against a fair and transparent framework that is publicly available on gov.uk. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities can exercise discretion when making funding decisions on shortlisted bids to ensure, where possible, a balanced spread of projects across all parts of the United Kingdom.
All applicants are required to demonstrate how the benefits of the community asset will address community need in their local place. Applicants must evidence the work undertaken with the community to understand the potential uses of the asset and how the community would benefit, including references to other local activities and plans in the area and how the proposal fits within these. Projects which make the strongest case for community benefit will be shortlisted for funding.
Unsuccessful applicants are provided with feedback on where their application has failed against the assessment criteria as set out on gov.uk. This process is consistent for all applications.
We consider applications from voluntary and community organisations from all parts of the United Kingdom which have a viable plan for taking ownership of a community asset at risk and running it sustainably for community benefit. The fund supports a broad range of asset types and the nature and purpose of the asset are varied.
So far, at least 43% of projects in Northern Ireland are helping to promote arts and culture in their local community, among many other wider benefits. For example, through their Aurora project, the St Columbs Hall Trust aim to advance arts, culture and heritage in their community, and advance education by providing training arts facilities. A significant number of COF projects also have a creative element to their project and support the arts.
Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has issued guidance on the allocation of Community Ownership Fund resources to more than one project in a similar geographical area.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
Applications to the Community Ownership Fund (COF) are assessed against a fair and transparent framework that is publicly available on gov.uk. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities can exercise discretion when making funding decisions on shortlisted bids to ensure, where possible, a balanced spread of projects across all parts of the United Kingdom.
All applicants are required to demonstrate how the benefits of the community asset will address community need in their local place. Applicants must evidence the work undertaken with the community to understand the potential uses of the asset and how the community would benefit, including references to other local activities and plans in the area and how the proposal fits within these. Projects which make the strongest case for community benefit will be shortlisted for funding.
Unsuccessful applicants are provided with feedback on where their application has failed against the assessment criteria as set out on gov.uk. This process is consistent for all applications.
We consider applications from voluntary and community organisations from all parts of the United Kingdom which have a viable plan for taking ownership of a community asset at risk and running it sustainably for community benefit. The fund supports a broad range of asset types and the nature and purpose of the asset are varied.
So far, at least 43% of projects in Northern Ireland are helping to promote arts and culture in their local community, among many other wider benefits. For example, through their Aurora project, the St Columbs Hall Trust aim to advance arts, culture and heritage in their community, and advance education by providing training arts facilities. A significant number of COF projects also have a creative element to their project and support the arts.
Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make it his policy to provide unsuccessful applicants to the Community Ownership Fund in Northern Ireland feedback on their application.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
Applications to the Community Ownership Fund (COF) are assessed against a fair and transparent framework that is publicly available on gov.uk. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities can exercise discretion when making funding decisions on shortlisted bids to ensure, where possible, a balanced spread of projects across all parts of the United Kingdom.
All applicants are required to demonstrate how the benefits of the community asset will address community need in their local place. Applicants must evidence the work undertaken with the community to understand the potential uses of the asset and how the community would benefit, including references to other local activities and plans in the area and how the proposal fits within these. Projects which make the strongest case for community benefit will be shortlisted for funding.
Unsuccessful applicants are provided with feedback on where their application has failed against the assessment criteria as set out on gov.uk. This process is consistent for all applications.
We consider applications from voluntary and community organisations from all parts of the United Kingdom which have a viable plan for taking ownership of a community asset at risk and running it sustainably for community benefit. The fund supports a broad range of asset types and the nature and purpose of the asset are varied.
So far, at least 43% of projects in Northern Ireland are helping to promote arts and culture in their local community, among many other wider benefits. For example, through their Aurora project, the St Columbs Hall Trust aim to advance arts, culture and heritage in their community, and advance education by providing training arts facilities. A significant number of COF projects also have a creative element to their project and support the arts.
Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what level of feedback is normally given to unsuccessful applicants to the Community Ownership Fund in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
Applications to the Community Ownership Fund (COF) are assessed against a fair and transparent framework that is publicly available on gov.uk. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities can exercise discretion when making funding decisions on shortlisted bids to ensure, where possible, a balanced spread of projects across all parts of the United Kingdom.
All applicants are required to demonstrate how the benefits of the community asset will address community need in their local place. Applicants must evidence the work undertaken with the community to understand the potential uses of the asset and how the community would benefit, including references to other local activities and plans in the area and how the proposal fits within these. Projects which make the strongest case for community benefit will be shortlisted for funding.
Unsuccessful applicants are provided with feedback on where their application has failed against the assessment criteria as set out on gov.uk. This process is consistent for all applications.
We consider applications from voluntary and community organisations from all parts of the United Kingdom which have a viable plan for taking ownership of a community asset at risk and running it sustainably for community benefit. The fund supports a broad range of asset types and the nature and purpose of the asset are varied.
So far, at least 43% of projects in Northern Ireland are helping to promote arts and culture in their local community, among many other wider benefits. For example, through their Aurora project, the St Columbs Hall Trust aim to advance arts, culture and heritage in their community, and advance education by providing training arts facilities. A significant number of COF projects also have a creative element to their project and support the arts.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that pupils have opportunities to study (a) drama, (b) dance, (c) music and (d) art in schools.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department is clear that all pupils should be taught a broad and balanced curriculum. The best schools combine creative subjects with core subjects, and the Department is committed to ensuring that all pupils engage with both. There are no plans to add any additional subjects to those included in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measure. The EBacc was designed to be limited in size to allow pupils time to study other areas such as creative subjects.
The Department believes in a high-quality education for all pupils, and integral to this is cultural education, which includes drama, dance, music and art. All state funded schools are required to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, and this includes promoting pupils' cultural development.
The Department will continue to spend around £115 million per annum in cultural education over three years, through its music, arts and heritage programmes. With the real terms per pupil increases to core school funding and the nearly £5 billion that has been announced for education recovery, schools will continue to have the flexibility to deliver a broad and ambitious curriculum and enrichment activities, including in arts and creative subjects.
The Department will also be publishing a Cultural Education Plan in 2023, working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports and Arts Council England. The Chair of the Expert Advisory Panel was announced in 2022, and other panel members will be announced in due course. The Plan will focus on how the Government can support participation and progression in a wide range of arts subjects and activities, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and in underrepresented groups. It will also support young people who wish to pursue careers in the creative, cultural, and heritage industries.
Schools and colleges make decisions themselves regarding which A levels they provide based on a range of factors, and this includes responding to pupil demand.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that pupils have the opportunity to study creative subjects at A Level.
Answered by Nick Gibb
The Department is clear that all pupils should be taught a broad and balanced curriculum. The best schools combine creative subjects with core subjects, and the Department is committed to ensuring that all pupils engage with both. There are no plans to add any additional subjects to those included in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measure. The EBacc was designed to be limited in size to allow pupils time to study other areas such as creative subjects.
The Department believes in a high-quality education for all pupils, and integral to this is cultural education, which includes drama, dance, music and art. All state funded schools are required to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, and this includes promoting pupils' cultural development.
The Department will continue to spend around £115 million per annum in cultural education over three years, through its music, arts and heritage programmes. With the real terms per pupil increases to core school funding and the nearly £5 billion that has been announced for education recovery, schools will continue to have the flexibility to deliver a broad and ambitious curriculum and enrichment activities, including in arts and creative subjects.
The Department will also be publishing a Cultural Education Plan in 2023, working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports and Arts Council England. The Chair of the Expert Advisory Panel was announced in 2022, and other panel members will be announced in due course. The Plan will focus on how the Government can support participation and progression in a wide range of arts subjects and activities, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and in underrepresented groups. It will also support young people who wish to pursue careers in the creative, cultural, and heritage industries.
Schools and colleges make decisions themselves regarding which A levels they provide based on a range of factors, and this includes responding to pupil demand.