Take-up of GCSE arts subjects falls to lowest level in a decade
The amount of pupils taking GCSE arts subjects has declined to the lowest level in a decade, The Telegraph has reported.
Analysis by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), has shown that the take-up of GCSEs in arts subjects, including design, drama, theatre, music, and dance has seen a drastic decline.
Researchers from the EPI looked at the impact of the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) on subject choice, which was introduced in 2010 to counter the “dumbing down” of GCSE choices and promote “core” subjects.
It looks at the amount of pupils in a school that has received five or more GCSEs graded A* to C in English, maths, two sciences, a language and history or Geography.
Critics say the decline is down to teachers encouraging bright students to enter for Ebacc to boost school ratings.
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