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Children promised 'high culture' Children promised 'high culture'
(about 1 hour later)
Schoolchildren in England are being promised access to high-quality cultural activities and the chance to pursue creative careers.Schoolchildren in England are being promised access to high-quality cultural activities and the chance to pursue creative careers.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families says each child will have access to "at least five hours of high-quality culture per week".The Department for Children, Schools and Families says each child will have access to "at least five hours of high-quality culture per week".
There is to be a particular focus on "those who would otherwise miss out".There is to be a particular focus on "those who would otherwise miss out".
There are to be £25m pilot schemes in 10 areas, involving visits to top theatre shows, galleries and museums.There are to be £25m pilot schemes in 10 areas, involving visits to top theatre shows, galleries and museums.
Other options include acting, singing and learning a musical instrument or making a film.Other options include acting, singing and learning a musical instrument or making a film.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Culture Secretary Andy Burnham will launch the new children's plan at the Young Vic Theatre, in south London.Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Culture Secretary Andy Burnham will launch the new children's plan at the Young Vic Theatre, in south London.
The idea of the scheme we're putting forward is very much for schools and local authorities to come forward with their plans Andy BurnhamCulture secretary The idea of the scheme we're putting forward is very much for schools and local authorities to come forward with their plans Andy Burnham,Culture secretary
Setting out the details of a pledge made in the plan, the department says culture enriches children's lives.Setting out the details of a pledge made in the plan, the department says culture enriches children's lives.
"This programme will give them the opportunity to learn in and about culture, developing as critical spectators, participants and creators of the cultural world around them."This programme will give them the opportunity to learn in and about culture, developing as critical spectators, participants and creators of the cultural world around them.
"They will learn through culture using engagement with the arts and other activities to boost attainment, other skills and personal development.""They will learn through culture using engagement with the arts and other activities to boost attainment, other skills and personal development."
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham, told the BBC it would be up to schools to work out the fine details of the scheme.Meanwhile, Mr Burnham, told the BBC it would be up to schools to work out the fine details of the scheme.
He said: "Some of this could be delivered in the school day, but also we want to give young people the opportunity to do more out of the school day.He said: "Some of this could be delivered in the school day, but also we want to give young people the opportunity to do more out of the school day.
"The idea of the scheme we're putting forward is very much for schools and local authorities to come forward with their plans of how they would deliver it.""The idea of the scheme we're putting forward is very much for schools and local authorities to come forward with their plans of how they would deliver it."
'Depth and quality''Depth and quality'
Children will be given the chance to attend "top quality theatre and dance performances, world class exhibitions, galleries, museums and heritage sites", the plan says.Children will be given the chance to attend "top quality theatre and dance performances, world class exhibitions, galleries, museums and heritage sites", the plan says.
Pupils will also be encouraged to take part themselves. More will have the chance to learn a musical instrument, play and sing in groups and choirs, perform drama or make films.Pupils will also be encouraged to take part themselves. More will have the chance to learn a musical instrument, play and sing in groups and choirs, perform drama or make films.
The government needs to free schools up from the constrictures that they've put on them at the moment Mick Brookes, NahtThe government needs to free schools up from the constrictures that they've put on them at the moment Mick Brookes, Naht
The plan says the government will ensure that those who show particular talents in an area will have chances to develop them.The plan says the government will ensure that those who show particular talents in an area will have chances to develop them.
The promise is "depth and quality", not just access to something or one-off activities.The promise is "depth and quality", not just access to something or one-off activities.
The general secretary of the National Association of Head teachers, Mick Brookes, told the BBC there were practical difficulties.The general secretary of the National Association of Head teachers, Mick Brookes, told the BBC there were practical difficulties.
"There'll be thousands of Year 6 children - 10 or 11-year-olds - going to school today to rehearse for their sats (national tests) in May," he said."There'll be thousands of Year 6 children - 10 or 11-year-olds - going to school today to rehearse for their sats (national tests) in May," he said.
"Now I think it would be much better to have a day doing poetry, listening to music and having those cultural experiences but the government needs to free schools up from the constrictures that they've put on them at the moment.""Now I think it would be much better to have a day doing poetry, listening to music and having those cultural experiences but the government needs to free schools up from the constrictures that they've put on them at the moment."