Independent schools are being encouraged to take part in a national festival of the arts as an “antidote” to the disruption and devastation brought about by Covid, the TES reports.
The Independent Schools Council is among nine education unions and organisations backing the Festival of School and College Arts.
They are encouraging schools to fill Twitter with paintings, drawings, poems, music, dance and drama on Friday, May 28, using the hashtag #EduArtsFest.
Jacqui O’Hanlon, director of learning and national partnerships at the Royal Shakespeare Company and chair of the Cultural Learning Alliance, said: “Participating in the arts has provided inspiration and refuge during the pandemic for millions. The Festival of School and College Arts is a brilliant opportunity to value and celebrate the creative lives, talents and resilience of our children and young people.”
ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton added: “The festival is a chance to turn the page on bubbles, self-isolation, lateral flow tests and all the other jargon of the pandemic and get back to the creativity and joy which forms such an important part of educating young people.”
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “The arts will be a vital part of healing the damage lockdown has done, allowing children to be children again, to socialise, exercise, express themselves, play and learn.”