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.
Read moreLatest News
18/11/2025 - 09:28
Education Support, the charity dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff, has released its ninth Teacher Wellbeing Index.
17/11/2025 - 09:26
Nearly two thirds of Initial Teacher Training providers believe that teachers are not currently prepared to meet the government’s ambition to raise the complexity threshold for SEND pupils entering mainstream schools.
14/11/2025 - 11:04
England’s councils are warning of a "ticking time bomb" in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, with new data showing deficits that could bankrupt local authorities within three years.
13/11/2025 - 12:14
Event for school leaders, governors and education professionals relocates to the historic Old Billingsgate venue in London.
13/11/2025 - 09:49
The regulations have been set following a second consultation and detailed collaborative working with organisations and people across deaf and hearing communities.
