In this episode of Beyond The Studio, Hayley is joined by Pippa, owner of Pips Dance Academy, for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about the role of the arts in education.

Too often, creative subjects are seen as a “nice extra”, something separate from academic success. But what if that mindset is actually holding young people back?

Together, they explore why dance, drama, music, and movement are not distractions from learning, but powerful tools that support confidence, focus, emotional wellbeing, and even academic performance.

This conversation touches on:

• Why the arts can be undervalued within school systems
• The impact of policies like the EBacc on creative education
• What young people lose when creativity is treated as optional

At its core, this episode is a reminder that education should support the whole individual, not just grades on a page.