“Visits to museums, galleries and theatres can enrich the education of children and young people,” said David Evans, Secretary NUT Cymru.

In the NUT Statement for Education, “Breaking Down the Barriers,” it calls for a thorough overhaul of the curriculum so that the individual needs of each child and young person are paramount. This could involve a guaranteed entitlement to a minimum number of outdoor activities as well as visits to museums, galleries and theatres.

David Evans said, “The Christmas holiday is a perfect opportunity for families to visit one of the many excellent centres in Wales that tell us about the history and experiences which went to towards shaping the society we live in today . A year ago we were celebrating the opening of the new Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay. This year it is Swansea’s turn.

“NUT Cymru is delighted to welcome the new National Waterfront Museum that opened in Swansea in the autumn. Children and young people need to know. When it is presented in an imaginative and exciting way - as it is in the Waterfront Museum in Swansea, Techniquest, St Ffagans , Llechwedd Slate Museum, Big Pit and the Rhondda Heritage Museum to take a very few examples - children respond all the readier. However, the museum is as much for adults as it is for young people. We should like to see parents and children sharing the pleasure of a visit to this rich educational resource.

“Similarly, whilst maintaining standards of excellence, we also want our local arts centres, be they galleries or theatres, to be accessible to everyone, especially school children in Wales.

“The arts and knowledge of our history and heritage belong to everyone, not to a small élite. At best, education helps children to become not only consumers but also participants in the arts. The same too is true of games and sport. NUT Cymru has always welcomed the free access to museums and galleries and free swimming for pupils in the school holidays as brought in by the Welsh Assembly Government.

“Those who, unlike the NUT, argue against any out of school visits are denying access to the arts for children who might not have any other way of going to a museum or theatre other than with the help and encouragement of their teachers. That is why the NUT strongly believes that young people should be entitled to such experiences as part of their curriculum. These valuable experiences take place inside and outside school buildings.

“At an NUT Cymru Education and the Law Conference, Terry Rose of the Health and Safety Executive in Wales told his audience that his organisation was not there to stop schools from doing things. On the contrary, it is there to help schools and teachers undertake those activities which enrich the lives of young people – but to undertake them safely.

“We applaud the wonderful productions that teachers put on at the end of the Christmas term, particularly in primary and special schools, and that give such pleasure to mothers, fathers, and grandparents.

“At this special time of the year, too, we hope that parents and children are enjoying pantomimes and concerts in village halls and in theatres throughout Wales. There are few better Christmas gifts than introducing children to the thrill of live theatre – whether amateur or professional.”