At last. An article in TES that acknowledges the central role of art and design in education - I rushed to absorb “The fourth R” (21 September). By the time I had read to the end, my enthusiasm had faltered. The writer’s argument seemed to rest on justifying art’s links with other subject areas, as a means of mutual advancement. Art education fosters creativity, compassion, problem-solving, resilience and independence. These are the skills and attributes that humanity requires to flourish.

Key questions for me are: 1) How many schools have senior teachers, let alone heads, who are arts specialists? I know of none. What impact does this have on creative approaches? 2) Director Danny Boyle and Apple’s Jonathan Ive are graduates of British arts education; can we maintain the structures that enabled their creative experience while satisfying Michael Gove and Sir Michael Wilshaw’s perpetual onslaught? I hope so.

Anna Moszynska, Shropshire.