Why an arts-based approach to education is crucial
Unlocking confidence, creativity, and connection through creative learning programmes for schools
In the modern classroom, the need for diverse, inclusive and engaging learning strategies has never been more apparent. As educators and society respond to the growing mental health needs of children and young people, the pressure to equip students with both academic knowledge and essential life skills continues to mount.
At Diverse Voices, we believe that creative learning programmes for schools are not just a “nice to have” – they are a vital part of a well-rounded education. Below, we break down exactly why an arts-based approach is so crucial, and what schools stand to gain by embedding creativity into their learning environments.
1. Improving confidence through performance
One of the most immediate impacts of an arts-based approach is the boost in confidence it offers young people. Whether through drama, music, or movement, performance-based activities encourage students to express themselves, take up space, and be heard.
Studies show that students involved in the arts report higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of social anxiety. According to research by the Arts Council England, 83% of young people say arts make them feel more confident. This matters – because confidence is foundational for participation, academic risk-taking and long-term resilience.
2. Enhancing teamwork and collaboration
Unlike traditional classroom models that can sometimes be individualistic or competitive, creative learning programmes for schools often involve group discussions, rehearsals, or ensemble work. In these settings, students must listen, share ideas, compromise and support one another – key life and employment skills.
Arts-based work encourages interdependence in a way that’s practical and authentic. Whether devising a theatre piece or working on a group music performance, young people learn that they succeed not alone, but together. And crucially, they experience the joy of that collective achievement.
3. Stimulating cognitive development and creative thinking
Creativity isn’t just about drawing or drama – it’s also about innovation, critical thinking, and problem solving. The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) highlights that creativity is one of the most sought-after skills by employers, yet is too often underdeveloped in formal education.
Engaging in creative tasks has been shown to stimulate neural pathways in the developing brain, enhancing memory, attention and emotional processing. Arts-based education improves divergent thinking – the ability to generate multiple solutions to a single problem – which is critical in both academic and life contexts.
4. Fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion
At its best, an arts-based classroom becomes a community. Young people who may feel excluded or overlooked in traditional learning spaces often thrive in creative settings where there is no single “right answer”. Here, difference is an asset.
Our work with young people across London and the UK consistently shows that students who engage in creative programmes feel more connected to their peers and teachers. They feel safer to express their identities. They report feeling valued. Arts education helps build stronger, better bonded school communities – which supports both attainment and wellbeing.
5. Improving communication and emotional literacy
Roleplay, storytelling, poetry and movement all invite students to articulate thoughts and emotions – often ones they haven’t been able to name before. This is especially important for children and teens navigating complex personal or social challenges.
Through structured drama and reflective discussion, students can practise managing conflict, expressing boundaries, and speaking up with confidence. These are core components of emotional literacy – and essential for healthy relationships, inside and outside the classroom.
6. Supporting mental health and emotional resilience
Post-pandemic, rates of anxiety and depression among children and adolescents have risen significantly. The arts offer not only an outlet for emotional expression, but also a means of processing difficult feelings.
In fact, a report by the Education Policy Institute found that arts participation significantly contributes to improved mental health outcomes among young people. Drama, music, dance and visual arts offer unique ways to reflect, release, and reconnect – supporting both prevention and early intervention for mental wellbeing.
7. Bringing the curriculum to life
Creative learning programmes for schools aren’t separate from the curriculum – they enhance it. Our arts-based programmes support the delivery of PSHE and RSE content in ways that are far more engaging and memorable than worksheets or lectures. Feedback from teachers who have used our programmes say that our creative approaches to PSHE provide them with useful and successful tools and methods they can use across their other lessons going forwards.
When students step into the shoes of a character experiencing peer pressure, or roleplay a conversation about consent, they’re not just learning – they’re living the content. This kind of experiential education sticks. It also allows teachers to meet their statutory curriculum requirements in a more inclusive, dynamic and student-centred way.
8. Equipping students for a changing world
Creativity, empathy, collaboration and adaptability are some of the most essential attributes in today’s fast-evolving world of work. An arts-based approach helps nurture these capabilities early, levelling the playing field for students who might not thrive under exam-based models alone.
Furthermore, creative education helps young people find their voice, understand their place in the world, and imagine better futures. And at a time when the world can feel uncertain and fractured, that’s not just important – it’s urgent.
The role of charities in making creative learning accessible
While the benefits of an arts-based approach are well documented, the truth is not all schools have the budget or staffing to deliver them consistently. That’s where charities like Diverse Voices come in.
We offer creative learning programmes for schools that are often subsidised or fully funded, reaching communities that need it most. Through grant funding and partnership work, we help schools unlock powerful, progressive learning opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
As a result, thousands of young people across the UK have been able to engage with sensitive PSHE and RSE topics, build their creative confidence, and develop lifelong skills – all through the power of the arts.
Our final thoughts
The arts are not a luxury – they are an educational necessity. They offer a framework through which young people can explore, connect, express and grow. And in doing so, they transform not only students, but whole school communities.
At Diverse Voices, we are proud to champion creative learning programmes for schools that do more than educate – they inspire. If you’re a teacher, school leader, funder or youth worker passionate about making a difference, we invite you to join us: