EDUCATION • OPINION
CREATIVE OUTLET
The Head of Mayfield School says it's vital to encourage arts and music at secondary level, not just to bring on talent, but also as an outlet for relaxation By ANTONIA BEARY
W
e live in a world where our children are under constant pressure to achieve academic excellence in the face of constantly moving goalposts and expectations. They are bombarded with advertising messages that impact their body image and self-esteem, not to mention seeming permanently connected to online interactions that prevent them from 'switching off' from the stresses and strains of their young lives (so much so that even they are beginning to worry!). It is hardly surprising that the value of music and the arts in a child’s education is often ignored, and its role in providing an antidote frequently overlooked.
“Creative arts have an extremely positive impact on physical and mental well-being, building confidence and allowing students to relax while they learn” The Creative and Performing Arts have an extremely positive impact on the physical and mental well-being of many students, building confidence and allowing them to relax while they learn by becoming truly absorbed in something that inspires and challenges them. Whether a student intends to pursue Music, Drama, Textiles, Ceramics or Art as a career, or whether it is just for fun and relaxation, it is vital these subjects are available to students at secondary level, and that they are encouraged to take part. At Mayfield School we encourage everyone
to become involved in the arts, whether they appear to have a natural ability or not. They are frequently surprised by the results. The benefits of singing, playing music or performing on stage, no matter how nervewracking it may seem initially, are vast: from boosting self-confidence (if you can sing solo in front of an audience, you can do anything) to teaching the discipline that is required to learn lines or music. A large number of our girls also enjoy Art, Ceramics and Textiles, although not all necessarily choose to study these subjects at A level and beyond. Those who do often combine them with maths and the sciences, our most popular subject choices. Five years ago, we appointed an Artist in Residence, not only to support arts graduates in developing their own work, but also to provide additional inspiration to our students, and promote creativity in the wider community. The pleasure and satisfaction girls derive from planning, experimenting with and creating artwork or garments is considerable – as is the sense of achievement gained from seeing the creation exhibited. Again, creativity and imagination – but also commitment, attention to detail, critical analysis and patience – are required to succeed. These skills are eminently transferable, and crosscurricular links between the arts and those subjects considered more traditionally academic are hugely valuable, not least contextual detail and background information to enrich learning. The value of the fruits of these creative labours is not purely aesthetic. An individual response needs to be cultivated and should be informed by an understanding of others’ perspectives; different cultures; experiences other than your own. In the world in which we live, and increasingly in the future, surely this sort of understanding needs to be championed? A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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