The number of entries to EBacc subjects at GCSE has increased for
the third year in a row, meaning more pupils are leaving school
equipped with the core knowledge and skills parents expect.
Provisional data for England shows that a rise in the number of
entries to modern foreign languages (MFL) – specifically a 10%
rise in Spanish and 4% in French – is contributing to an overall
increase in entries to core academic subjects at GCSE. The rise
in EBacc entries is also driven in part by an increase in entries
to the sciences.
The data, published by Ofqual today, provides yet more evidence
of this government’s efforts to halt the decline in the uptake of
languages since they became optional at key stage 4 in 2004.
The increase in EBacc and MFL entries comes alongside an overall
increase of 3% in entries to GCSE arts subjects. The increase
includes rises in art and design subjects and performing and
expressive arts, demonstrating focus on core academic subjects
does not come at the expense of important cultural education.
At A Level, biology, chemistry, physics and computing all showed
increases, along with Spanish.
Today’s data shows a total of 5.19million GCSE entries this year
– a slight increase on the 5.14million entries in 2018 – while
entries to A Level remained broadly stable at around 746,000,
down from 760,000 last year.
School Standards Minister said:
It’s important that young people leave school prepared for life
in modern Britain and with the widest set of options available
to them. Core academic subjects, such as English, maths,
science and foreign languages are key to making that a reality.
Today’s data shows that following our reforms, those GCSEs are
becoming increasingly popular among young people. We know
parents place great importance on these subjects, so with
4.2million entries to GCSEs in EBacc subjects this summer, both
parents and employers can be confident that our schools are
providing pupils with the strongest possible foundation.
It is particularly pleasing to see an overall increase in
entries to GCSE arts subjects, including a 9% increase in
entries to art and design subjects. The arts are an important
part of the curriculum, and I know the best schools combine a
rich cultural education with excellence in core subjects.
Polling shows parents place greater importance on core academic
subjects such as English, maths, science, humanities and
languages, aligning with those subjects that have seen increases
in this year’s GCSE entries and demonstrating the value of the
EBacc.
Today’s data also shows:
- Increases of 8% and 9% in entries to GCSE and A Level
computing, respectively;
- Increases of 9% in entries to A Level biology and chemistry
and 3% to A Level physics; and
- 15,000 more entries to GCSE art and design subjects.
Pupils across the country are currently sitting their A Levels
and GCSEs, with results days on 15 and 22 August respectively.
