The EBacc is a performance measure which judges schools on GCSE entries and results in a set of traditional academic subjects – English, maths, sciences, a language and either history or geography. There have long been concerns that this impacts on the take-up of other subjects at GCSE and consequently at A-level.
ASCL’s analysis shows that while entries in maths, further maths and sciences have soared at A-level the opposite has been the case with creative arts and technology subjects.
| Number of A-levels sat (England). Source: Joint Council for Qualifications |
2011 |
2023 |
% change |
| Art & Design |
42525 |
40594 |
−4.5 |
| Design & Technology |
16301 |
9008 |
−45 |
| Drama |
14646 |
8340 |
−43 |
| Media/ Film/ TV studies |
31400 |
21333 |
−32 |
| Music |
8906 |
4929 |
−45 |
| Performing Arts |
3536 |
953 |
−73 |
| All subjects |
796860 |
797352 |
0.06 |
This year’s A-level results are published on Thursday. Statistics
published by Ofqual in May on provisional entries in this exam series compared to 2023 show continuing declines in drama of −5.8% and in media, film and TV studies of −1.3%.
Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “It is clear from this analysis that the English Baccalaureate has had a devastating effect on creative arts and technology subjects. It has led to schools having to prioritise their highly constrained resources on EBacc subjects, and other subjects have dwindled as a result.
“While the increase in entries in maths and science is very good news for these sectors, it is of deep concern that arts and technology subjects have paid such a heavy price. They are an important part not only of our cultural life but also of our economy.
“The new government has launched a curriculum and assessment review and our analysis shows that the national decline in creative arts and technology entries will need to be a key consideration. We have to achieve a better balance. The EBacc must be scrapped and more done to champion the importance of subjects that have been sidelined.”
Editors’ notes:
*The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was introduced in January 2011, applying retrospectively to the 2010 performance tables.