A new survey conducted by YouGov has revealed an alarming decline in children’s basic fine motor skills, with more than three-quarters of UK primary school teachers reporting deterioration over the past five years. The research, commissioned by specialist after-school art education provider art-K, highlights a growing crisis in creative education that experts warn could have far-reaching consequences for children’s development and the future of Britain’s creative industries.
The nationally representative survey of 569 primary school teachers found that 77% of educators have witnessed a worsening in pupils’ ability to perform precise movements such as holding a pencil, drawing, writing, or using scissors since early 2020.
This decline coincides with a widespread neglect of art education in primary schools. A staggering 76% of teachers agreed that quality art and design education is not prioritised in schools, with almost one in five (18%) reporting they spend no time at all teaching art and design in an average week. Just 12% of teachers manage to provide more than 60 minutes of art education weekly.
The consequences of this neglect are becoming increasingly apparent. Only a quarter (26%) of primary teachers believe students are reaching their artistic potential within the current curriculum. Almost half (46%) of teachers feel that art and design education isn’t sufficiently prioritised.
Perhaps most concerning is the impact on children’s overall development. Seven in ten teachers (71%) recognise a direct relationship between art activities, handwriting development, and mathematical problem-solving abilities. And 8 in 10 (81%) agree that improving art education would enhance students’ wellbeing too. This connection between creative skills and academic performance not only underscores the vital importance of art in a well-rounded curriculum but also its role in bolstering children’s mental health.
Teachers also indicated a significant gap in resources and training needed to deliver quality art education. Less than half (44%) feel they have access to the right resources and training levels to successfully teach art, while a similar proportion (43%) reported that their teacher training did not give them sufficient confidence to deliver art and design lessons. Only one in five (20%) believe they have adequate opportunities for professional development in art education.
The survey also revealed that teachers perceive a lack of parental support for school art. Just 28% agreed that parents value art and design teaching at school, suggesting a need for greater awareness among families about the importance of creative skills development.
Kathryn Harper, founder of art-K, who started the organisation in 2000 combining her creative inclination with experience in paediatric speech and language therapy, said: “Structured art education builds transferable skills for academic and personal growth, developing crucial abilities including patience, perseverance, creativity and, for our youngest learners, the fine motor control that underpins every aspect of learning that requires hand-eye coordination. These results confirm what we’ve been observing for years.
“Art plays a vital role in child development and the future of our creative industries, especially with the rise in AI. The UK’s creative sector requires early cultivation of artistic skills and interests, yet we’re seeing a systematic decline in provision.”
The findings come amid growing concern about the state of arts education in the UK. According to the Arts and Minds campaign, participation in arts subjects at GCSE level has fallen by 42% over the last 15 years.
Back in February, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said that: “We’ve seen culture and creativity erased from many of our communities and as a government we are absolutely determined to rebuild that whole ecosystem.”
Looking ahead, education experts warn that without significant intervention, the decline in art education could have serious implications for both individual student development and the UK’s standing in the creative industries.
Ms Harper added that: “As the UK seeks to maintain its global position in creative industries, the cultivation of artistic skills from an early age will be crucial. The findings suggest an urgent need for increased investment in resources, teacher training, and curriculum time dedicated to art and design in schools across the nation.”
Background:
The research was conducted by YouGov on behalf of art-K among a nationally representative sample of 569 primary school teachers between February and March 2025.
Article by:
Mark Cooper @ GK & Partners
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