A new survey finds three quarters of primary teachers reporting a decline in fine motor skills of pupils
Undertaken by YouGov for art-K, the research indicates a decline in children's basic fine motor skills, with more than three-quarters of UK primary school teachers reporting a deterioration over the past five years.
The survey 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.
Survey findings included:
- Three quarters think children’s ability hold a pencil, draw, or use scissors has worsened
- One in five report spending no time teaching art
- Three quarters say art education is not prioritised in their school
- Seven in ten recognise the relationship between art, handwriting, and mathematical problem-solving
- Four in five agree that improving art education would enhance students' wellbeing
The national survey of primary school teachers (569 primary school teachers between February and March 2025) 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. 76% of teachers agreed that art education is not prioritised in schools, with almost one in five (18%) reporting they spend no time at all teaching art 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.
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.
'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.'
NSEAD patron and artist Bob and Roberta Smith OBE RA, said:
'This report is a stunning indictment of a sterile and destructive intellectual environment. We must change primary education - to open it out and use the arts in all their forms to build bridges between different subjects.'
Michele Gregson, NSEAD general secretary and CEO said:
'Our members tell us, young people tell us, and now this helpful survey tells us – the decline, indeed neglect, of art and design in schools, is having a direct impact on motors skills and the wellbeing of a generation.
'With one in five primary teachers reporting they spend no time teaching art and design, this survey proves that there is a divide between those that have, and those that have not had access to experiential skills and tactic knowledge. We support art-K in calling on the government to address and close this growing gap in many children’s learning.'