The government will set up a new 鈥淣ational Centre for Arts and Music Education鈥 and a task and finish group to advise on how to equip pupils for an 鈥淎I and digital world鈥. And a new framework will set out 鈥渨hat a high-quality enrichment offer looks like鈥, and may in future include 鈥渟tandardised benchmarks and tools鈥 to help schools. It comes after the interim report of the government’s curriculum and assessment review warned 鈥渞apid social, environmental and technological change鈥 required a renewed focus on digital and media literacy, and a greater focus on sustainability and climate science鈥. the new arts education centre will signpost pupils to 鈥渋ndustry-backed careers guidance鈥 and opportunities to pursue creative interests in school, including through the existing network of music hubs. It will also provide new online continuing professional development for teachers and 鈥渂olster collaboration鈥 between schools and arts organisations. The centre is 鈥渆xpected to be established in September 2026, with a delivery lead appointed through an open procurement鈥. No further details have been announced. The DfE said details of funding 鈥渨ill be set out in due course, subject to the spending review and an open competitive tender process鈥. Previous Conservative governments established many networks of hubs 鈥 schools that receive funding to share best practice with other schools in their area. But several of the schemes have been scrapped or scaled back by the Labour administration. Schools Week revealed in January that funding for computing hubs had been scrapped and similar support for languages was being scaled back. And we also revealed in January the 拢10 million behaviour hubs scheme will end in its current form this month. The government said at the time it was considering rolling support for behaviour into its regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) teams. Panel to advise on ‘jobs for the future’ The DfE will also set up a new 鈥渄igital, AI and technology task and finish group鈥. It will be 鈥渕ade up of sector and digital experts will advise the government on what changes can be made to prepare children and young people for the jobs of the future鈥. It will be tasked with helping government ensure children are 鈥渆quipped to thrive in an AI and digital world, creating strong foundations for access to more specialist AI and digital pathways and making the most of the opportunities to use AI and educational technology to drive better teaching and learning. 鈥淲e intend that this work will commence shortly and conclude before the end of the academic year.鈥 When asked who would be appointed to the group, the DfE said this would be revealed 鈥渋n due course鈥. New ‘enrichment framework’ planned An enrichment framework will also be developed 鈥渁longside a working group consisting of experts from schools, youth, sports and arts organisations and research bodies鈥. Again, the DfE said these experts would be named 鈥渋n due course鈥. The framework will be published 鈥渂y the end of the year鈥. It will 鈥渋dentify and reflect鈥 practice in the best schools to 鈥渟et out what a high-quality enrichment offer looks like鈥. Bridget Phillipson The DfE will also 鈥渃onsider with the sector whether standardised benchmarks and tools can form a useful part of that support鈥. The framework will also provide advice for schools on 鈥渉ow to plan a high-quality enrichment offer more strategically and intentionally and how to make use of specific programmes to increase access to sport and arts鈥. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said high standards 鈥渕ust also mean greater opportunities and a curriculum fit for the world of today and tomorrow. 鈥淥ur new National Centre for Arts and Music, alongside a renewed focus on giving young people the AI and technical skills they need, are significant steps on the path to making sure every child, wherever they grow up, leaves school truly ready for life and work.鈥 Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: 鈥淎rts and music bring people together and are enjoyed by communities across the country. 鈥淲e want every child and young person to have equal opportunities to access a high quality arts and music education, to ensure creativity can be explored by all and not just the privileged few.鈥