Creative-arts subjects, such as drama, music and art and design are considered the least important subjects for pupils to study at secondary school, a new poll reveals.

By contrast, computing is ranked the most important subject after English and maths, according to the survey.

The poll of 1,648 adults, conducted by YouGov, reveals that only 8 per cent believe that it is very important that pupils study drama at secondary school. This is fewer than all other subjects apart from Latin and classics.

Only 15 and 16 per cent think that it is very important to study music and art and design respectively.

Computing ‘more important than science’

By contrast, 84 per cent of people judge studying English to be very important for secondary pupils. And 83 per cent think that the study of maths is very important.

Computing is deemed more important than science, history and geography, with 69 per cent of those polled judging it a very important subject.

And sex and relationships education also ranks highly. More people think that it is very important to study this subject than value history, geography or modern foreign languages.

Want to keep up with the latest education news and opinion? Follow Tes on Twitter, and like Tes on Facebook