It also highlights the importance of sustainable public funding. ActionSpace is supported by Arts Council England (ACE), in turn reliant on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

But this kind of support is at risk ⬇️

Two things are clear: there is real concern out there for the state of the arts in the UK, but also real belief that by coming together we can create lasting change 💜

So thank you so much for your support of the Campaign for the Arts. We can't wait to keep building in 2026.

We’ve already surpassed our original target for our Big Festive Fundraiser this week, which has honestly us away 💨

But the campaign is very much still open, and the more fuel we have in the tank, the further we’ll go. Please consider chipping in 👇

donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Thank you to everyone who has got us over halfway there in the first 24 hours of our Big Festive Fundraiser!

All donations are doubled until Tuesday. Please help us scale up our work in 2026 👇

donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Welcome! 💜

Read our full take here 👇

www.campaignforthearts.org/news/curricu...

👁️ There is more to do + more to keep an eye on
🪗 e.g., for these reforms to fulfil their potential, we also need to address wider funding pressures on schools + a crisis in teacher training + hiring
🎉 But these announcements offer real and rare cause for celebration + we’re going to enjoy that!

So, is this good news?

✨Yes ✨

🧶 9/10

So what are we waiting for?

👋 The EBacc goes by the end of this academic year
💬 More consultations to come before...
🛼 ... the new curriculum rolls out in 2028
👀 More info awaited on a National Youth Strategy, a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education + more

🧶 8/10

What else is new?

🎨 Real shift in tone: the arts described as a “fundamental part” of education
🌳 A new entitlement to enrichment activities for every child, including the arts + culture (although no new funding has been announced to deliver this)

🧶 7/10

How has the Government responded?

✅ Accepted: EBacc to be scrapped
🔧 Altered: Progress 8 to now include creative subjects
🎨 Added: a pledge to “revitalise arts education” in new national curriculum
➡️ In short, the Government is going further than the recommendations

🧶 6/10

What did it recommend?

💾 Updating all programmes of study including for diversity, sustainability + progression
🗑️ Scrapping the EBacc entirely...
🎱 ... but keeping arts out of Progress 8

🧶 5/10

What did the review review?

✅ Focused only on England’s national curriculum + assessment system...
⛔️ ... not workforce, funding, or policy in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

🧶 4/10

Why do we care so much about it?

📚 As many as half of 11-15-year-olds only engage with the arts in school
📉 But since 2011, the number of hours of arts teaching has fallen by 23% + GCSE entries by 48%

🧶 3/10

What’s all this about a review?

🖊️ Jun '24: Labour manifesto pledges to transform education system
📜 Jul '24: Independent “Curriculum & Assessment Review” commissioned
📕 Nov '25: Final report published + Government responds
🔔 NEXT: Major reforms to 5‑ to 19‑year-olds’ education in England

🧶 2/10