Parents Believe Studying Performing Arts will Boost Child’s Academic Education

Findings from a new poll reveal that parents whose children have access to performing arts classes believe they will positively impact their child’s academic subjects such as Maths and English.

The poll from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, which boasts alumni such as Hollywood stars Lily James and Daisy Ridley, reveals that 80 per cent of parents believe that a focus on performing arts will actually have a positive effect on their child’s academic learning. In fact, similar studies have shown that the performing arts can support a young person’s academic learning by further developing cognitive capacities, fostering creativity, self-efficacy, and social bonding, all of which contribute to academic advancement.

The research also found that as well as academic excellence, parents had noticed that since studying performing arts, their children had improved their social skills (74 per cent), confidence (81 per cent) and general happiness (83 per cent). This shows that introducing vocational study at an early age can help build solid foundations for young people, ready to face the world, regardless of whether they choose a career in the arts or not.

Current student, Karin who has starred in the musical theatre tour of Annie explains how vocational study has helped with other aspects of her school life: ‘I have the best of both worlds here at Tring Park – both academic and vocational. We learn from the best teachers and gain valuable insights from the older students. The skills I’ve gained through my performing arts training have also boosted my confidence and social abilities, enabling me to bond and socialise with the sixth formers during our break times.’

Karin’s mother Mika Narumi comments on how studying performing arts has positively impacted her daughter’s education: ‘Performing arts enriches the youth mentally, physically, and emotionally. It helps to build the essential and valuable transferable skills which can be used throughout their lives. It also gives young people a sense of direction and aspiration for their future, a sentiment my daughter now possesses.’

Also, within the poll parents were asked what first inspired their child to take part in the performing arts, with 43 per cent revealing they had always had an interest from a very young age, with the majority specifically citing birth to four years old being the key age their love for performing began. Many also pinpointed visiting the theatre and watching performances such as ballet on the TV as key inspirations to their youngsters.

Commenting on the findings, Simon Larter-Evans, Principal at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts says: ‘These findings align with our belief that the arts are not just an extracurricular activity, but a vital component of a well-rounded education. In fact, integrating the arts even further into the curriculum matters because it also helps young people develop a more diverse view of the world. Joining the sciences with the arts much more deliberatively is something I would love to see more of across the UK, starting as early as key stage two. Here at Tring Park, we are committed to nurturing these benefits, helping our students excel both on the stage and in the classroom.’

The survey polled parents of children aged 7 to 19 who study a variety of performing arts subjects including music, acting, musical theatre, and dance.