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Education Minister Elizabeth Truss underlined the government鈥檚 commitment to supporting the arts by confirming funding for a scheme that allows young dancers and musicians from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend world-class institutions like the Royal Ballet School (RBS).

The minister said that the music and dance scheme, which gives financial assistance to talented young artists who could not otherwise afford to attend, will receive 拢28 million for the next financial year.

The money will help young people attend 8 specialist independent schools and 21 centres for advanced training, including the RBS. Currently 89% of students attending the RBS receive financial assistance through this fund.

During her visit to the RBS, the minister also announced the Arts Council England鈥檚 new easy-to-use online resource . From the Ashmolean Museum to the National Theatre this new resource gives teachers access to a store of information profiling the best of British culture, encouraging pupils to engage in the arts.

And following the submission of further evidence to the department, Ms Truss also confirmed results in dance and drama GCSEs will count separately in school performance tables.

Ms Truss said jobs of the future would require both creativity and the academic fundamentals of good literacy, numeracy and science.

Elizabeth Truss said:

In an increasingly competitive labour market, young people need both core knowledge and the opportunity to be creative and artistic.

That鈥檚 why we are supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who want to take part in music and arts education.

This will ensure music and arts become an integral part of school life, giving our children a well-rounded education.

Notes to editors

1. .
2. The government has committed 拢64 million to music and cultural education programmes over the next 12 months. This includes 拢58 million for 123 music education hubs, 拢1.2 million for a museums and schools programme and 拢1 million to the British Film Institute鈥檚 Film Academy for aspiring young filmmakers. The government鈥檚 commitment to cultural education is set out in the 鈥楥ultural education鈥� document.
3. The government鈥檚 new accountability measure for secondary schools - Progress 8 - which is introduced for the 2016 performance tables will measure pupil progress across 8 subjects and can include 3 arts subjects, providing a further incentive for schools to enter children for arts subjects.
4. Dance and drama will count separately in the next school performance tables, based on 2014 results and published in January 2015.
5. .