Award for classroom creativity

The government has been criticised for squeezing the arts out of the curriculum

A new award to recognise schools' success in promoting arts and creativity is to be launched by the government.

The Artsmark award will be modelled on the existing Sportsmark scheme, and is intended to be a "benchmark of excellence for schools to aim at and a symbol of recognition when they achieve it."

The joint announcement by the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is a belated response to a government-commissioned report on creativity in schools.

The National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education (NACCCE), whose members included comedian Lenny Henry and conductor Sir Simon Rattle, called for urgent action to raise the profile of arts in the curriculum.

Lenny Henry was on the committee which called for more creativity in the classroom

Its report, published last May, coincided with criticism that the government's education reforms, particularly in primary schools, placed too much emphasis on the basics, squeezing out art, music and drama.

The committee's proposals included boosting arts and humanities in initial teacher training, and bringing more creative professionals into the classroom.

Last week the NACCCE's chairman, Professor Ken Robinson, accused the government of attempting to bury its report.

Speaking at the North of England Education conference in Wigan, he said: "Most people don't even know the report is around because nothing has been done in central government to promote its existence.

"There are hackers who can get into Nato defence systems who can't find it on the government's web site."

Money for the arts

The artsmark scheme is to be developed over the next year. Schools' participation will be voluntary.

The two government departments said the scheme would aim to raise the standard of arts education in schools by recognising good practice and encouraging improvements in standards.

In their joint statement, they pointed to steps the government had already taken to promote the arts in schools.

These included an extra £125m being given to the arts over the next three years, with a condition that organisations should provide educational benefits, resulting in an extra 200,000 education sessions.

The government is also allocating £150m over the next three years to enhance local authority music services.

The statement also mentioned the creation of the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund, which will invest £205m to expand the learning opportunities available to children outside school hours.

'Fundamental importance'

The Education Secretary, David Blunkett, said: "Creativity is a vital part of children's education. In the coming decades, the economy will need more people with the ability to think creatively, to apply these skills to complex management and technical problems and to fill jobs in industries such as the media and films."

The Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, said: "A good and balanced education develops young people's creative imagination and skills.

"That is of fundamental importance in itself and Artsmark will recognise good practice and ensure higher standards in arts education.

"But it is also clear that creative and cultural work in schools helps to stimulate good performance across the whole range of academic subjects."