The Children’s Plan by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), was launched in December 2007, and sees a strong commitment to the arts in schools. This is one of a number of announcements about greater support for increasing positive activities for young people.

This includes up to five hours of cultural learning and activity per child, per week, and is intended to improve the status of arts education and emphasise its importance in children’s development. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, James Purnell, said that the offer would “give everyone a chance to make sure that creativity is a key part of their childhood” by allowing children to watch or participate in music, dance, theatre and visual arts of professional calibre.

The announcement is considered to be reflective of the increased importance of the creative industries and will bring arts provision in schools in line with sport. The National Campaign for the Arts has written to the DCSF, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Prime Minister, welcoming the announcement as a strong commitment by Government to the importance of arts education, one of the NCA’s core areas of activity.

Download a summary or the full Children's Plan

Read about other recent announcements regarding positive activities for young people