Today’s A level results show that entries in music, drama, French
and German are continuing to decline as a result of the severe
funding pressures on schools and colleges.
Schools and colleges are having to cut courses in these subjects
because the relatively small number of candidates signing up to
them means they are not financially viable to run. This reflects
the severe budget pressures on post-16 education which has
suffered significant real-terms cuts since 2010.
The Association of School and College Leaders is concerned that
this trend, combined with a huge drop in AS level entries as a
result of government reforms, is narrowing the curriculum and
reducing student choice.
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and
College Leaders, said: “Congratulations to the students who are
celebrating results in A level, AS levels and vocational
qualifications. Today is about their achievements.
“Beyond today, however, the government must get to grips with the
continuing decline in entries to music, drama, French and German.
“These subjects are vitally important to the future of young
people and to the economy. Drama and music underpin our cultural
life and creative industries which are worth a fortune to the
country. French and German are essential to the transaction of
international trade and will be particularly important in
post-Brexit Britain.
“However, the level of funding for post-16 education is simply
not sufficient to sustain courses with relatively small numbers
of students, and many schools and colleges have no alternative
other than to cut these courses. Increasingly, they will be
available only in the private sector, making a mockery of the
government’s claim to be promoting social mobility.
“The decline in A level entries means there will be fewer
teachers in these subjects in the future making them even more
difficult to sustain.
“Combined with the decline in AS level entries as a result of the
government’s ill-conceived decision to decouple these
qualifications from A levels, we are seeing a significant
narrowing of the post-16 curriculum. The government must take
heed of these statistics and act urgently to improve the level of
investment in post-16 education and the uptake of these important
subjects.”
Ends
Editors’ notes: The Association of School and College
Leaders (ASCL) is a leading professional body representing more
than 18,500 members, including education system leaders, heads,
principals, deputies, vice-principals, assistant heads and
business managers of state-funded and independent schools and
colleges throughout the UK. ASCL members are responsible for the
education of more than four million young people in more than 90
per cent of the secondary and tertiary phases, and in an
increasing proportion of the primary phase. ASCL works to
shape national education policy, provide advice and support to
members and deliver first-class professional deve
