Bridget Phillipson says term-time holiday fines ‘here to stay’

The education secretary has also been setting out plans for a wide-ranging review of what is taught in schools in England.

Launching the curriculum review on Friday, Ms Phillipson said all children should have a strong academic foundation in subjects like English and maths, but also have access to music, art, drama and sports.

At Heworth Grange School in Gateshead, Erin Anderson is head of arts and culture, covering subjects like music and drama. She says access to those subjects makes pupils “assets to the community”.

“They learn so much through performing,” she says.

“They learn how to work together as team players, they get to stand on their own two feet, they can speak more confidently. They can perform and make themselves better in front of people.”

Year nine pupil Lucy said she sometimes struggles in lessons like English and science because she is “really dramatic”, but says she finds her creative subjects less stressful.

“When I’m in dance and drama and stuff, I can be myself in my lessons. I can be loud and it’s just a confidence boost,” she said.