all pupils are given an entitlement to a range of high-quality arts experiences, whatever their background and ability;
arts provision doesn't just rely on the enthusiasm of individuals and is embedded in the school's ethos and planning mechanisms;
resources are allocated to arts provision, including staff, continual professional development, materials, facilities and equipment;
there is a strategic approach to arts provision, which takes into account the curriculum, out-of-hours opportunities, sharing and celebrating achievements in the arts, visits and partnerships with arts organisations outside school, and the contribution of the arts to the school environment.

What should be included in an arts policy?
An arts policy is a statement showing the school's commitment to the arts and its approach to fulfilling this. It does not need to be a long document and is likely to be supported by further policy statements and action plans for individual subject areas.

An arts policy usually includes:

a definition of the arts as understood by the school;
a mission statement explaining why the school provides the arts;
no more than four key aims;
a limited number of specific objectives that will achieve each aim;
measurable targets for each objective, as part of an action plan.

Case studies from arts-rich schools show that the mission statement for arts policies is usually about how the arts contribute to quality of life both within and beyond school. Key aims tend to fall into five broad categories:

Engaging with a variety of artforms, to explore values, attitudes, feelings and meanings.
Developing the ability to create, appreciate and make critical judgements about artworks.
Encouraging pupils to work independently and in teams, to share arts experiences and present artworks to others.
Developing an understanding of the role of the arts in society, including as a career.
Increasing active and independent involvement in cultural opportunities.

The following chart shows examples of specific objectives found in the arts policies of arts-rich schools.

Aim	Objectives
Engaging with a variety of artforms, to explore values, attitudes, feelings and meanings	provide an arts curriculum of quality, range and depth provide opportunities for cross-curricular work provide opportunities for pupils to learn about the arts of diverse cultures provide opportunities to develop self-esteem, confidence and maturity through participation in the arts ensure that arts teachers have access to regular continuing professional development that refreshes their own creativity and keeps them up to date with developments in the arts

Developing the ability to create, appreciate and make critical judgements about artworks	give pupils opportunities to design and complete artworks in a range of artforms

Encouraging pupils to work independently and in teams, to share arts experiences and present artworks to others	give all pupils an opportunity to exhibit work or take part in a performance at least once a year give all pupils the opportunity to take part in at least one weekly out-of-hours arts activity present arts work to parents and the community at least once a year

Developing an understanding of the role of the arts in society, including as a career	offer all pupils an opportunity to work alongside a professional artist once a year offer pupils opportunities to carry out work experience in arts organisations and creative industries

Increase active and independent involvement in cultural opportunities	take pupils to see work exhibited and performed by professional artists

The arts policy should indicate where objectives are to be found (for example in an action plan for the arts as a whole, and/or in action plans for individual arts subject policies). It should also state when governors agreed the policy, when it will be reviewed, and who is responsible for ensuring that its outcomes are evaluated.

QCA 2003
Source QCA web site.

Drama Policy for Primary Schools - Free Download

If you don't have the time and experience to write your own school drama policy, Arts On The Move has produced a complete policy which will support your school framework and guidelines. This is available as a DOC file, to enable you to make amendments appropriate to your own school working practices.

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