Government launches Schools White Paper, setting out its vision for education reform in England

This week the Government launched its Schools White Paper, setting out its vision for education reform in England. At its heart is a renewed commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum, alongside an ambition for a strong enrichment offer and a revitalised arts curriculum.

One Dance UK welcomes the clear recognition that arts and physical education are essential to every child’s education. We are encouraged not only by the proposed national enrichment entitlement encompassing arts and culture, but by the commitment to strengthening arts within the curriculum itself. Enrichment opportunities are vital, but they must sit alongside, and not replace, high-quality curriculum provision. 

After decades of decline in dance in schools, we are at a pivotal turning point. Dance plays a unique and transformative role within the Department for Education (DfE)'s vision. As both an art form and a physical activity, it supports children and young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, builds confidence and social connection, and develops creativity, resilience and communication skills. For many, dance is also a pathway into the UK’s world-leading dance and creative industries.

We continue to advocate for dance to ensure this ambition is now be matched by practical action. Access to high-quality dance education depends on sufficient curriculum time, investment in specialist teachers, and sustainable funding for enrichment and extra-curricular activity. Accountability measures for schools must properly value creative and physical learning if schools are to feel empowered to prioritise them.

As the Subject Association for Dance in schools, One Dance UK plays a central role in supporting teachers, informing policy and advocating for high-quality dance education for all children and young people. We continue to work closely with DfE on curriculum development and on championing the wider importance of dance, both in and out of schools.

We look forward to contributing to the development of the proposed curriculum refresh and enrichment framework, ensuring that dance is fully recognised as essential to a truly broad and balanced education.