The expressive arts: Selected reading

This article has been published as part of the Rethinking Curriculum project, kindly funded by The Helen Hamlyn Trust.

By Jenna Crittenden, Teacher Advocacy Lead at the Chartered College of Teaching and Beth O’Brien, Education Content Manager at the Chartered College of Teaching 

This is a collection of research articles, case studies, webinars and other relevant resources to develop your understanding of expressive arts education further. We have ensured that these are open access or available to members of The Chartered College of Teaching. 

The resources collated here are not designed to provide a recipe for what you should do. Some of the articles will also present opposing viewpoints, and ones which may contradict your own viewpoint or experience. They aim to provoke thought, debate and discussion. We encourage you to read and appraise the literature to make informed decisions based on your local context, professional experience and other available research evidence. 

Resources from the Chartered College of Teaching

N.B. Please note that non-members can only access three articles per month. Join today to get full access to all resources provided on our platform.

• Issue 7 of our Impact journal: Issue 7: Arts, Creativity and Cultural Education : My College
• This perspective article examines the factors contributing to the decline of arts education in state schools in England and offers solutions to address this issue.: Why are the arts declining in schools and what can we do about it? 
• This perspective article seeks to define the relationship between place, space and learning in drama, arguing that both schools and cultural venues can function as places of learning: Place and space in drama education
• Original research that demonstrates how specialist arts teachers working in an arts-encouraging environment can support generalist primary teachers to teach the arts confidently and knowledgeably: Specialist arts teachers make a difference 
• This article outlines the importance of embedding performing and visual arts at the heart of the curriculum and explains how the author implemented this approach in their own context: Orchestrating the future: Why the arts belong at the heart of a broad curriculum  
• Original research around the role of the teacher and arts organisations in schools: Puppetry and playfulness: The role of the teacher when using arts organisations and programmes in schools
• This perspective article examines the role of dance in the curriculum: The place of dance in a broad and balanced curriculum
• This perspective article argues that schools need to make time for music in the curriculum: Making time for music: Advocating a place for music in the curriculum
• This research summary sets out the government’s renewed vision for music education in England: The Power of Music to Change Lives: A Plan for Music Education    
• This research summary examines the impact of  arts teaching on students’ academic and social development: The impact of arts teaching on students’ academic and social development : My College 
• This case study explores how digital and creative technologies can be used in arts education to deepen learners’ engagement with sound, water environments, and nature-connected learning experiences: Hear Water: Creative, technology-enhanced pedagogy for the arts and nature connectedness 
• This article examines how using museum-held musical instruments in classroom settings can enhance primary pupils’ musical understanding through hands-on, object-based learning.: From collections to classrooms: Object-based learning with museum musical instruments in primary music education
• This article explores the importance of informal learning approaches in music education, highlighting how peer learning, listening, imitation, and student-led exploration can support musical development: The place and value of informal learning pedagogy in music education 

General resources and articles freely available from other providers

Case studies:

• This case study explores one primary school’s approach to arts education: Insights into inspirational arts practice in schools: A whole-school journey to celebrating creativities and releasing the imagination : My College 
• This collection of case studies outlines the experiences of arts practice in London City schools: Insights into inspirational arts practice in schools: Case Studies from the City of London Family of Schools : My College
• This collection of case studies showcase the importance of drama in the classroom: Voices from the classroom| Case studies | Royal Shakespeare Company
• This podcast series hears from practitioners across the UK, sharing their perspectives and experiences of music education: Make Your Mark: Notes on music education | Music Mark
• This case study outlines the impact of their two-year Teacher Development programme: How do you embed arts-based teaching across the curriculum? | ACE

Research around the impact of arts education in schools:

• This research report explores the ways in which outstanding schools have successfully integrated the arts into their curricula: Arts and Cultural Education in Outstanding Schools
• This research report shares the current patterns in arts education in primary schools and provides suggestions on how this can be improved: Researching the Arts in Primary Schools
• The Education Endowment Fund outlines the wealth of benefits associated with arts participation in schools: Arts participation | EEF 
• Learn about the importance of art in schools and how to motivate pupils here: The importance of arts education for students | Arts Award
• This report explores a range of blended approaches to professional learning in the arts: Blended approaches to teacher professional… | Paul Hamlyn Foundation
• The research article explores how primary pupils see their progress in the arts: Full article: ‘The way I know is by looking back’: English primary school children’s views of making progress in arts subjects
• This research report examines current arts provision in the current English state school system: The Arts in Schools: Foundations for the Future 2023
• This research report, commissioned by the RSA and the Education Endowment Foundation, examines the impact of arts and cultural activities in schools in England: Learning about culture: Final report – The RSA. This blog summarises some of the key findings: The impact of arts-based education – The RSA. 
• This research paper explores the divergence between private and state education in England in their approach to arts education: Ashton, H., & Ashton, D. (2022). Creativity and the curriculum: educational apartheid in 21st Century England, a European outlier? International Journal of Cultural Policy, 29(4), 484–499. 
• This article, written by the RSA, outlines the value and benefits of an arts-rich education. Evidence informed decision making on arts rich schools | Royal Shakespeare Company: The Time to Listen report referred to in the article can be found here: Time to Listen report 

Resources supporting curriculum development and lesson planning:

• NSEAD has partnered with the Oak National Academy to produce a Key Stage 1 and 2 curriculum map, teaching guide and video lessons that are inclusive, accessible and relevant for all primary-aged children:  A Primary Art and Design Curriculum Framework and Lessons for All | NSEAD
• This directory provides links to resources, projects, events and organisations that support the development of arts education in schools: LookUp – AND Organisation. Please note that some of these do have a cost.
• The Cultural Learning Alliance is an organisation that champions arts and culture in schools and provides opportunities, evidence, and resources to support this work:  Cultural Learning Alliance – The Cultural Learning Alliance champions a right to art and culture for every child
• The Art of Learning project investigates the impact of participation in arts and cultural activities at school. Find out about the story behind the project, engage with the lessons and explore the impact.  
• Artis is a creative learning charity that enables children to sing, act and dance their curriculum. This experiential way of learning boosts oracy, SEND inclusionAn approach where a school aims to ensure that all children are educated together, with support for those who require it to access the full curriculum and contribute to and participate in all aspects of school life and engagement.

Drama & Theatre:

• This website contains a wide range of activities, ideas, and lesson plans for integrating drama techniques into the primary curriculum: Drama Resource – Creative ideas for teaching drama
• This guide supports governing bodies to champion drama in the curriculum: Governor Guides – Drama
• This progression document outlines how drama skills can be mapped across the key stages: Progression in primary drama – going beyond the National Curriculum
• This collection provides free resources and units of learning for teaching Shakespeare. Teacher Resources | Royal Shakespeare Company
• This pupil-centred website supports the exploration of the works of Shakespeare: Shakespeare Learning Zone | Royal Shakespeare Company
• This collection provides free online lessons and on-demand performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company: Live Lessons and Online Performances | Royal Shakespeare Company
• This resource provides free access to over 70 National Theatre performances, alongside supporting teaching materials: National Theatre Collection Registration Form | JCS Online Resources Online Resources
• This free programme supports primary practitioners to embed creative approaches across the curriculum: Let’s Play primary programme | National Theatre
• This opportunity allows London- and Glasgow-based schools to collaborate with Disney colleagues to produce a Disney musical in school: Disney Musicals in Schools | Disney On Stage
• This collection of blogs explores a range of approaches to drama teaching in schools: The Arts in Schools: Drama in schools – Cultural Learning Alliance
• This evidence report outlines the impact of immersive theatre on schools, families and communities: Punchdrunk Enrichment | ACE
• This membership website supports schools’ engagement with drama research and opportunities, with some research and articles freely available: Research – NATIONAL DRAMA

Dance:

• The Royal Ballet and Opera provide free lesson resources and live lessons: Royal Opera House National Schools Program
• Sadler’s Wells provides opportunities to access workshops, programmes and resources by registering free here: Schools and Colleges – Take part – Sadler’s Wells
• The Royal Academy of Dance provides support through school-based dance programmes: RAD United Kingdom | RAD | Step into Dance
• This paid membership platform provides access to on-demand dance performances, lesson resources and teacher CPD: Home | One Dance UK
• This collection of blogs explores approaches to dance education in schools: The Arts in Schools: Dance in schools – Cultural Learning Alliance
• This perspective piece explores the importance of dance: Dance: The Game-Changer | Arts Council England
• This short article explores how dance can be used to support the creativity, learning and wellbeing of learners of all abilities: Making Dance Possible for All | A New Direction
• MoovBank is a free online dance platform created by the world-renowned dance company, BalletBoyz. It features fun and inclusive video lessons for primary pupils: MoovBank 

Art & Design:

• The Royal Academy of Arts provides free resources to support with visual art education in primary schools: Teaching and learning resources | Royal Academy of Arts
• Art UK provides access to 600,000 artworks, enabling the national collection to be brought into schools. This search facility enables you to search by artist, period, subject and media type: Art UK | Discover Artworks
• This collection of blogs explores approaches to art and design education in schools: The Arts in Schools: Art and design in schools – Cultural Learning Alliance
• This collection of lesson planning resources supports schools in planning for engagement with artworks: Art UK | Learn Learning resources
• This visual literacy approach is freely available to all schools. The superpower of looking provides lesson support to look deeply at various artworks: Art UK | Learn The Superpower of Looking
• The National Gallery provides free workshops and online lessons for primary schools: Primary schools | Learning | National Gallery, London
• The National Portrait Gallery provides free resources for schools to explore portraiture from around the world: Schools hub – National Portrait Gallery
• The Tate provides free resources, workshops and events around modern art; including photography, sculpture, painting and collage: Tate Schools | Tate
• This paid membership organisation supports Art and Design educators in their work and professional development: We are the National Society for Education in Art and Design | NSEAD
• This resource provides free guidance and lesson plans on how to teach sculpture in schools: How To Teach Sculpture In Key Stage 2
• This resource supports the planning of curriculum-led art projects and explores how to elevate pupils’ creative work . Elevating the Arts in Your School | A New Direction
• This is a paid curriculum planning resource that may support schools seeking additional expertise to integrate the arts into their curriculum: Primary Art National Curriculum KS1 & 2: Guidance for Primary Art Subject Leads 
• This is a worldwide festival of drawing: Home – The Big Draw
• The Tate provides a range of resources to bring art and artists into the classroom in new and exciting ways: Art learning resources for teachers | Tate 

Music:

• This website provides an overview of national youth music organisations who offer school support: National Youth Music Organisations | Arts Council England 
• This collection of blogs explores approaches to music education in schools: The Arts in Schools: Music in schools – Cultural Learning Alliance
• The Royal Opera House provides free lesson resources to support with music teaching: Royal Opera House National Schools Program
• This online resource provides CPD to support all teachers to be teachers of music: Our Resources – Aurora Classroom. A particularly popular unit is Stories in Sound available here: Stories in Sound Aurora Classroom
• This free resource helps map various musical approaches to the curriculum, as well as providing teacher supporting materials: A Common Approach | Music Mark
• This is a free, ongoing network event where practitioners are encouraged to discuss and engage with musical activities used in the classroom: T-Time | Music Mark
• This article summarises some of the research around the benefits of singing: The benefits of singing | Sing Up
• This organisation uses music to build inclusive schools: Home – Electric Umbrella. Further opportunities are available here: Free Activities – Electric Umbrella

Funding opportunities 

Your local music hub may provide financial support for some activities.

The Music and Dance Scheme provides grants for children and young people aged 8–19 with exceptional talent and potential. They help with fees at 8 independent schools and 21 centres for advanced training.

The Youth Music NextGen Fund offers young creatives aged 18–25 grants of up to £2,500 to launch creative projects, ideas or businesses.

Awards for Young Musicians offers grants to talented children and young people aged 5–17 to support music-making.

Take it Away provides interest-free loans to buy musical instruments.

UK Music’s rehearsal spaces project supports rehearsal spaces across the UK. Each space provides instruments and equipment for free or for a minimal cost.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) offers advice on:

• music education
• employment
• ABRSM braille exam pieces
• buying and loaning music

Other funding opportunities for Expressive Arts projects:

• Teacher Development Fund | Paul Hamlyn Foundation
• Arts-based Learning Fund | Paul Hamlyn Foundation 

Award schemes for schools: 

The Arts Award is a system of levelled awards for work in the arts, supported by Trinity College: How the Arts Award works in schools. Please note that there is a cost associated with this.

The Artsmark Award provides a framework and resources to support schools in developing and celebrating their work around the arts and creativity: Artsmark. Please note that there is a cost associated with this.