PERFORMING ARTS
successful, offering a way for some pupils, particularly those who find it hard to take part in traditional competitive sport or PE, to have a positive experience of a physical activity. Opportunities to perform can boost academic results as well. Research suggests that where arts are interwoven into the curriculum, reading and maths scores are higher. It’s not just literacy and numeracy scores that get a boost but potentially the economy as a whole. Creative arts are something that the UK does well, adding billions of pounds to the national coffers. Encourage today’s pupils to hone their creative talents now and we all benefit in the future. For actors, musicians and dancers, performing arts are often the aspect of school they live for. But there’s also a role for other pupils. Many schools have exceptional performance spaces with professional-quality lighting and sound, giving opportunities for the technically minded to provide essential behind-the-scenes support. Increasingly, you’ll find that the sophisticated effects enhancing school productions have been masterminded by other pupils, with the support of specialist staff. “Increasingly, you’ll find that the sophisticated effects enhancing school productions have been masterminded by pupils with specialist staff”
62 SPRING/SUMMER 2023
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