Burgess Hill Girls hits creative streak with GCSEs

With employers increasingly looking for those with a strong creative streak, Burgess Hill Girls is performing at the highest level in creative subjects, with 100% of entries graded 9 to 7.

Since the introduction of the Ebacc in 2010 which deprioritised creative subjects, the number of entries for creative arts in England is in decline. In contrast, Art, Music and Drama remain popular subjects at Burgess Hill Girls, which has held firm in insisting on all pupils following at least one creative discipline at GCSE.

Employers want breadth as well as depth of knowledge and are keen to stress the importance of creativity in industry. Head Liz Laybourn said, ‘the workforce of tomorrow need to be nimble, flexible and innovative in their thinking to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving job market and a future we can only imagine. More than ever before, creative subjects should be a vital ingredient of every young person’s profile.’

‘Creativity fuels big ideas,’ said Emma Levett, Head of Art at Burgess Hill Girls. ‘The creative arts in schools develop students’ ability to innovate and collaborate. The subjects are self-led, which encourages independent thought, risk-taking and experimentation, all of which are vital for a fast-moving job market. Employers seek creatives as they are disciplined, can accept criticism and can problem-solve.’

Devising a live performance from a specific brief requires a range of skills and qualities that are hugely valuable for the workplace. In an age where technology allows teenagers to curate and revise their message, preparing and delivering a music or drama performance for a live audience, where there is just one shot, makes different demands. ‘We need to fix the perception of ‘soft subjects’ and ‘academic subjects,’ says Burgess Hill Girls’ Director of Drama, Emma Cassim. ‘Working in a creative field requires long hours and dedication; it needs you to exercise self-discipline, make mistakes and take feedback, to use emotional intelligence, to hone your decision-making and communication skills.’

The rewards of creative subjects are immeasurably rich and lie far beyond the final grade itself. Art, Drama and Music, cultivate freedom of expression. Students learn to challenge and surprise themselves, taking ownership over their achievements. In these pressured times for young people, expressive subjects are immeasurably valuable.