Analysis from the Association of School and College Leaders shows
that A-level entries have collapsed in creative arts and
technology subjects since the introduction of the English
Baccalaureate in 2011*.
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.
