Skip to content
11 April 2026

Tag: EBacc

Which accountability measures should schools prioritise?

With the DfE and Ofsted making clashing requirements, Liam Collins is forced to wonder which accountability measures and diktats schools should be prioritising Let us all understand this correctly: the new key stage 4 accountability measure will be the lever that gets schools to enter every pupil into the now infamous five (effectively seven) Ebacc GCSEs. […]

Change to EBacc measure breaks DfE’s own rules

The government’s plans to change the way schools are measured from 2018 appear to conflict with its own rules on accountability reform. On Wednesday, Justine Greening announced that schools will be measured in a new way from 2018 on the English Baccalaureate, a change which will affect pupils already midway through their GCSE courses. However, […]

We need a Bacc for the future, not a curriculum from 1904

The English Baccalaueate is driving pupils – especially those from poorer backgrounds – away from creative subjects. This cannot stand, argues Deborah Annetts After 18 months, the government has finally published its long-awaited response to the EBacc consultation. And it isn’t good news. Ambitious plans to have 90% of pupils in England study the English Baccalaureate […]

Most teachers and parents fear EBacc could narrow curriculum

More than two thirds of respondents to the DfE’s consultation on the English Baccalaureate are worried that schools will be unable to maintain a broad and balanced curriculum as the number of pupils taking it increases. The results of the Department for Education’s consultation on ‘Implementing the English Baccalaureate’, released today, show that 71 per cent […]

DfE believes fewer teachers in creative subjects will be needed in the future

Official government figures show the demand for teachers in EBacc subjects is set to soar, indicating the subjects will become mandatory, despite a consultation response on the policy being withheld from publication. Almost twice as many trainees in geography, for example, are needed next year, while the demand for new teachers in creative subjects will […]

Teacher drop-out rates highest in EBacc subjects, study finds

Drop-out rates for new teachers in key EBacc subjects is “particularly high”, a new analysis has claimed. A National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) study, published today, finds that teachers in maths, science and languages are most likely to leave the profession, particularly in their first five years. Researchers claim the drop-out rate in key subjects could […]

EBacc ‘increases arts subject entries’ but teacher numbers fall

The EBacc has prompted a rise in pupils taking at least one arts subject at GCSE – but the number of teachers and contact hours dedicated to those subjects have fallen, because schools have “misunderstood” the EBacc, according to a new report. Concerns from cultural organisations that the five EBacc subjects – English, maths, science, a language […]

Gibb urged to make arts EBacc commitment after £300m music hub pledge

Schools minister Nick Gibb has been urged to prove his commitment to the arts by introducing a “more creative EBacc” after announcing £300 million funding to secure the future of music education hubs. Gibb said the continued investment for the hubs, running since 2012, will help thousands of youngsters from all backgrounds to enjoy life-changing […]