Increasing decline in the hours of arts teaching and number of arts teachers in England’s secondary schools
05 July 2018
Department for Education figures published in June 2018 show that between 2010 and 2017 the number of hours the arts were taught in England’s secondary schools fell by -21% and the number of arts teachers fell by -20%.
In the last year alone the number of arts teachers fell by -4% and hours the arts were taught by -5%. The number of children in England’s secondary schools went up by +1% between 2016 and 2017.
In comparison the EBacc subjects of History and Geography saw rises in the number of teachers and of hours taught of between +11% and +25%.
- Design and Technology is experiencing the greatest falls with -32% fewer teachers and -36% fewer hours of teaching.
- Drama teacher numbers have fallen by -19% and the hours taught by -15%. These hours include teaching time from non-specialists.
- Art & Design teachers have declined by -11% with a reduction of -16% in teaching hours.
Between 2010 and 2017 the number of children in England’s secondary schools fell by -2%.
All data from the Department for Education School Workforce in England statistics.
Headcount of teachers by subject
|
|
2010 |
2016 |
2017 |
Percentage change 2016 to 2017 |
Percentage change 2010 to 2017 |
|
History |
15000 |
16600 |
16700 |
+1% |
+11% |
|
Geography |
13500 |
15800 |
15600 |
-1% |
+16% |
|
|
|||||
|
Design and Technology |
15000 |
11300 |
10200 |
-10% |
-32% |
|
Music |
7500 |
6700 |
6500 |
-3% |
-13% |
|
Drama |
11100 |
9200 |
9000 |
-2% |
-19% |
|
Art & Design |
13200 |
12000 |
11800 |
-2% |
-11% |
|
All arts subjects |
46800 |
39200 |
37500 |
-4% |
-20% |
Hours taught by subject
|
|
2010 |
2016 |
2017 |
Percentage change 2016 to 2017 |
Percentage change 2010 to 2017 |
|
History |
153400 |
182000 |
185700 |
+2% |
+21% |
|
Geography |
138700 |
170100 |
172700 |
+2% |
+25% |
|
|
|||||
|
Design and Technology |
119900 |
86500 |
76300 |
-12% |
-36% |
|
Music |
92700 |
83600 |
80200 |
-4% |
-13% |
|
Drama |
95000 |
82900 |
80800 |
-3% |
-15% |
|
Art & Design |
159800 |
136500 |
133500 |
-2% |
-16% |
|
All arts subjects |
467400 |
389500 |
370800 |
-5% |
-21% |
Data for Dance is not available in the released DfE figures.
Image credit: Into Film St Andrews Primary Islington 01.11.17 Photo Ben Bentley
My daughter’s school had a performing arts specialism but this year is offering neither Drama nor Music at sixth form (it is also not offering any modern languages). These cuts are just devastating and will have a drastic impact on students.
This is very sad. I have a music shop and have seen a similar reduction in customers over this period. Austerity is severely damaging education and most other public services. Time to lobby our MPs!