Alun Jones, president of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), said there were “pockets of excellent practice” in state schools but thought that these were rare.
Mr Jones, who is principal of St Gabriel’s School in Newbury, Berkshire, was speaking at the GSA’s national conference in Newport last month.
His comments came as the debate over arts education continues in the state sector.
In July this year, education secretary Nicky Morgan hit back at claims that the government is devaluing arts education, not least via its 90 per cent EBacc policy, declaring that arts education is “the birthright of every child, regardless of background”.
During his keynote speech Mr Jones insisted that the creative arts offer “levels of enrichment” and deliver life-skills that enable students “to reach further in life and career”.
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