A mixed picture of opportunity and achievement in school art, craft and design
Opportunities to work with an inspiring teacher, a visiting artist or in an art gallery can have an immediate and lasting impact on pupils’ creative aspirations and achievement, says Drawing together: art, craft and design in schools. However, these experiences were rarely available to all pupils, the report reveals.
Pupils’ achievement in art, craft and design was good or outstanding in just over half the schools inspected for the report, which also highlights how an increasing emphasis on drawing, painting and writing about artists is thought to be putting boys off taking exams in art and design. Despite slow improvement in boys’ performance, girls were still more likely to choose an art and design course at Key Stage 4 and get higher grades, making up 60 per cent of GCSE entries.