I hated my after-school piano lessons. I wasn’t a natural and did not understand why I was expected to practice scales for hours, when I saw no benefit to it – I still could not play well. After several years, I admitted defeat and gave it up. I wish I could play the piano – or any instrument - well, but I accepted long ago that I just was not any good and I was not prepared to toil away in order to achieve at best mediocre results.

But I have never regretted being given the opportunity to test my aptitude. It is one reason why I firmly believe that all children, no matter their background or ability, should have access to arts education at school, whether it’s art and design, music, dance or drama. The second reason is that I have seen how much my son, who has special needs, and other children at his school, Exeter House, have benefitted from having such access at no extra cost.

I am very grateful to both the school and Wiltshire Creative, who have made it possible. My son and the other young people relish their weekly drama club and every year, all that hard but enjoyable work culminates in a staging of a short play at Salisbury Playhouse, in front of an audience of parents, as well as wider family, friends and school staff. Their performances are always so impressive, it is hard to overstate how proud we feel. I am sure I am not the only one who has to fight away happy tears watching our children, who may otherwise struggle socially, revel in being part of a team.

Drama has myriad health benefits, but above all it is great fun, which is why amateur dramatics is the third most popular pastime in the UK after fishing and football.

Having seen how the weekly Drama Club has boosted my son’s confidence and how much the children love it, I wish that every child in the country had similar opportunities. Sadly, that’ s not what’s happening. Last year, research by the Fabian Society revealed that arts education in state primary schools in England is in “dramatic decline”. This is alarming on several fronts, not least because it will almost certainly adversely affect Britain’s economy.

Arts and culture currently contributes more to UK economy than agriculture. Our creative industries employ more than two million people, generate £100bn a year and have established a great reputation. To maintain it, we need new talent, and to find it, we need to create a system that would offer children from all backgrounds chances to engage in creative activities at low or no cost.

Public schools understand their importance and, unlike state institutions, they have been heavily investing in arts education. This growing disparity only strengthens the erroneous perception that arts are elitist and creativity is the preserve of those who can afford it. Yet we know that, as Picasso said: ‘Every child is an artist.’ Helping all children and young people explore different forms of artistic expression is our duty.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/arts-culture-uk-economy-agriculture-report-nicholas-serota-a8873816.html

https://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/uk-creative-overview/facts-and-figures