Some children even looked forward to art homework

The education watchdog, Ofsted, said lessons in subjects like English and history, as well as dance, drama, art and music, were becoming more involving and exciting.

In deprived areas, the arts often encouraged better behaviour.

The government has recently asked teachers to listen more to pupils, to bring out their creative skills, allowing them to "think outside the box".

Unions have blamed the national curriculum, with its focus on achievement in tests, for stymieing enjoyment and diversity.

'Dinner on the Jubilee Line, anyone?'

A study of 42 schools by Ofsted found most were good at aiding creativity, with 20% "exceptionally good".

One project asked a history class to create a Tudor dance in a confined space.

For another, a student made a video of a fictional meal served on a Jubilee Line train on London's underground.

David Bell, England's chief inspector of schools, said: "The findings are proof that teachers are taking creativity seriously and acknowledging the importance of innovative activities in the classroom.

"Crucially, we have found that such an approach can help to motivate and inspire young people at the same time as promoting high standards in their work."

Creativity, according to Ofsted, does not involve introducing "radical" new teaching methods, but rather the skill of listening to children and encouraging them to come up with ideas.

'I can let myself go'

One primary school teacher was praised for telling her class: "The unexpected is expected in my lessons."

In a second study, some schools in disadvantaged areas were found to excel in the arts.

Almost half the 500 secondary schools with the lowest proportion of pupils gaining five or more A* to C grades at GCSE fared above the national average in at least one arts subject.

Behaviour in these lessons was better than in others, Ofsted said.

In interviews, pupils said they valued producing high-quality creative work, with a few even looking forward to homework.

Some said they preferred the less structured, pressurised environment of arts subjects.

One told inspectors: "I feel more comfortable in art and design. I only attend on those days. I feel more at ease and can let myself go. I put more effort into it."

Another added: "Art is non-competitive. You don't have to do everything correctly and you can improve your mistakes."