Subject choices determined by enjoyment over difficulty, research shows
Pupils are more focused on the enjoyment and usefulness of subjects instead of difficulty when choosing their GCSE subjects, an Ofqual report has shown.
The research included interviews with 49 teachers and 112 pupils from 12 schools in England and showed that some schools choose not to offer subjects which are seen as too difficult for pupils.
It also found that subject choice was driven by three elements: enjoyment, usefulness, and difficulty.
However, difficulty was noted as one of the lesser concerns.
Some pupils also stated that they were sometimes discouraged by teachers, parents, and friends from subjects that were considered too difficult for them.
Read moreLatest News
29/04/2026 - 10:03
A study from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), conducted by the UCL Institute for Education, examined the impact of student grouping in maths.
28/04/2026 - 09:56
A new survey by the British Council has revealed that more than two thirds (67%) of primary school age children say they would like to spend more time at school learning a language.
28/04/2026 - 09:38
A survey by school leaders’ union NAHT has found that 51% of its members had buildings or areas that were out of use or not fit for purpose.
27/04/2026 - 09:45
Forty-four per cent of education professionals are unfamiliar with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, otherwise known as Martyn’s Law, according to new research.
24/04/2026 - 12:32
A survey by Save My Exams has found that 40% of students are regularly disrupted by noise at home.
