This report presents the results of a National School Survey, carried out as a response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, by Bridge England Network, to gather indicative information from schools about the potential needs and creative aspirations for their pupils from autumn 2020 onwards.

The aim was to identify how Bridges and the cultural sector might best support schools moving forward. Given the focus of the survey, it is likely that the majority of respondents were arts specialist teachers, arts coordinators and senior leaders who champion the arts, although this fact does not devalue the findings.
Findings of the report include the following:
• Creative activities were ranked as the approach to home learning that worked best during Lockdown, for both Primary and Secondary schools
• In both Primary and Secondary schools, mental health and wellbeing is considered the most pressing need.
• When asked to what extent teachers are planning to use the arts as a vehicle to aid recovery, 45% indicated it will be used to a great extent
o The majority (52%) of primary school respondents indicated that the arts would be used quite often although a sizeable minority (40%) thought it would be used to a great extent.
o 52% of secondary school respondents indicated that the arts would be used to a great extent. This may reflect the high number of arts teachers amongst secondary respondents who view their subjects as supportive of wellbeing and thus aiding recovery.
• When asked to rank potential areas of practical support from the arts and cultural sector,
“partnership working with arts and cultural organisations and practitioners”, and “curated creative learning resources for use at school and home”, were the two most relevant forms of support identified by both primary and secondary respondents.

Bridge England Network (2020). National Arts Creative and Cultural Education Survey: Research Finding, Final Report. UK: Bridge England Network.