Performing arts are being squeezed out of schools by the relentless focus on science and related subjects, the principal of the Royal Conservatoire in Scotland has said.
Jeffrey Sharkey criticised government policy across the UK for creating a hostile environment for arts education.
Stem subjects encompass the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
In a letter to The Times, Sharkey, an American pianist and composer, said that demand for places at the introductory junior conservatoire was increasing exponentially but the “declining provision in the state school sector” meant that many students could not continue to flourish in the arts.
