Building up a head of steam for Arts subjects, Antonia Berry

Leading women Building up a head of steam for Arts subjects Antonia Berry looks beyond STEM

Every school in the United Kingdom acknowledges the central importance of STEM in the preparation of young people for the world of work. Increasingly squeezed and side-lined, however, are the arts. In the last month it was reported that the number of Scottish school pupils taking social sciences and the arts has fallen. Inevitably this raises concerns about a narrowing curriculum and as the curriculum contracts so does the world that is accessible to our young people.

At St Columba’s, a co-educational school on the outskirts of Glasgow, we believe schools neglect the arts at their peril. In order to truly innovate, to create something original, to see how a space might be filled, to genuinely succeed in the world, pupils must be encouraged to develop a sense of themselves. It is our job as educators to teach pupils how to trust and challenge their own ideas, to nurture creativity and imagination.

It is, of course, essential that the foundations are strong – that literacy and numeracy are mastered – which is why at St Columba’s each young person receives 8 hours a week minimum of English and Maths combined. But if we are blinkered in our approach, if we focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths in isolation and neglect the A in STEAM we limit children’s futures. Those at the forefront of innovation, those carving out new spaces in the world, combine arts and science. If we are to produce the next Vint Cerf, the ‘Father of the Internet’, let alone another Da Vinci, we must embrace multidisciplinary learning that champions the arts as much as it does the sciences.

Time flies

For the second consecutive year, Our Lady’s Convent School is celebrating the national achievements of its artists. Melanie Lamb has been recognised not only as the Winner of the ISA Midlands Region annual art competition with her piece ‘Time Flies’ but also nationally. Melanie’s drawing was submitted for the Key Stage 5 drawing category at the end of the last academic year when she was in her final year at the School. Now at university reading History of Art, Melanie was delighted to hear the news of her win this week.

Mrs Anna Schofield, Head of Art at the school said, “We have a long history of enabling pupils’ creativity to flourish and this is evident in the frequency with which they achieve regional and national awards. The standard of all the work submitted in this competition was very high and we are always delighted when our pupils’ hard work is recognised.”

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This weekend St Columba’s School welcomed award winning graphic artist Metaphrog who delivered a comic book workshop for 7 to 12 year olds. In another area of the School, acclaimed fine artist Ian Murphy worked with teachers inspiring them to ‘improve their visual language’. On the same day two of St Columba’s pupils were selected to represent Scotland in a team of just five at the World Debating Championships in Croatia next year. And on the Sunday, it was confirmed that based on examination performance in 2017, St Columba’s was amongst the highest achieving schools in Scotland.

Investment in the arts does not mean a reduction in A grades, but quite the contrary. With 82% A grades at National 5 and 84% A-B at Higher, it is difficult to argue that our approach is flawed. Antonia Berry is Depute Rector, St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm

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