Tallulah Holley provides an introduction to SHAPE in Schools and its approach to supporting social sciences, humanities and the arts across the UK and beyond.
What is SHAPE?
SHAPE is a collective name for social sciences, humanities and the arts. The acronym was first used in 2020 by Julia Black, President of the British Academy, to illustrate the value and relevance of SHAPE subjects which play a vital role within our communities and in shaping our lives – past, present and future. SHAPE skills give us the tools to enact change and allow us to better understand the world by providing a myriad of ways to express, analyse and interpret our global world and human experiences.
What is SHAPE in Schools?
SHAPE in Schools is an initiative funded by the London School of Economics in partnership with The British Academy to work with primary and secondary schools across the UK. Our mission is to increase the visibility of SHAPE subjects, support practitioners and learners to access high quality SHAPE learning experiences and demonstrate the relevance and personal connections to SHAPE subjects through a cross-curricular approach.
Why is SHAPE needed?
Social sciences, humanities and the arts are essential to our education, economy and wellbeing. Yet, policy and perception has led to their devaluing in education and the media. Funding has dropped and uptake of key SHAPE subjects has declined. That’s not a narrative we accept so together let's change it.
How does SHAPE interact with STEM?
The need for connectivity between STEM and SHAPE subjects has become increasingly evident. Together with STEM, SHAPE subjects offer creative solutions to today’s challenges and enable us to experience the breadth and depth of our humanity. Students should have access to a broad and balanced educational curriculum, where they have the opportunity to learn both SHAPE and STEM subjects in order to make informed decisions about their future.
How do I get involved?
- SHAPE is a name not an organisation which means you can start spreading the word and using the acronym in your context today.
- Post on social media using the hashtag #whySHAPE and tagging @SHAPEinSchools to tell us why you think SHAPE subjects are important.
- Check out our websites (www.shapeinschools.org and www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/this-is-shape/) and read the articles below to learn more. Share what you discover with others.
- Use our learning resources and create your own. You can tailor them to your context and age group under the creative commons licence. Email us to let us know what you and your learners think hello@shapeinschools.org
- Partner with us or submit a post for our blog. Get in touch to talk to the team hello@shapeinschools.org
Further reading
Holley, T. 2024. Could SHAPE be the new STEM? Published in Teachwire. Available at: https://www.teachwire.net/news/arts-subjects-could-shape-be-the-new-stem/
Holley, T. 2024. By prioritising STEM over SHAPE in schools we poorly prepare students for a complex future. Published in LSE Impact. Available at: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2024/02/05/by-prioritising-stem-over-shape-in-schools-we-poorly-prepare-students-for-a-complex-future/
Black, J. et al. 2023. Humanities and Arts, Pioneering SHAPE in Schools, a human world focus. Published in Open Access Government. Available at: https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/article/humanities-and-the-arts-pioneering-shape-in-school-a-human-world-focus/166477/
Black, J. and Imafidon, A-M. 2023. Why we must end the STEM vs SHAPE debate. Published in TES. Available at: https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/secondary/end-stem-v-shape-debate-sciences-arts-education
Futurum Careers. 2023. SHAPE in Schools: Changing mindsets in support of social sciences, humanities and the arts. Published in Futurum Careers. Available at: https://futurumcareers.com/shape-in-schools-changing-mindsets-in-support-of-social-sciences-humanities-and-the-arts
Futurum Careers. 2022. STEM, STEAM and now SHAPE: Can an acronym help valorise the social sciences, humanities and arts? Published in Futurum Careers. Available at: https://futurumcareers.com/stem-steam-and-now-shape-can-an-acronym-help-valorise-the-social-sciences-humanities-and-arts
Black, J. 2022. Becoming SHAPE. Published by The British Academy. Available at: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/blog/becoming-shape/
Black, J. and Goldsworthy, S. 2021. Introducing SHAPE: Q&A with Sophie Goldsworthy and Julia Black (part one). Published by Oxford University Press. Available at: https://blog.oup.com/2021/02/introducing-shape-qa-with-sophie-goldsworthy-and-julia-black-part-one/
Black, J. 2021. SHAPE – A Focus On The Human World. Published by Social Science Space. Available at: https://www.socialsciencespace.com/2020/11/shape-a-focus-on-the-human-world/