Equity has hailed a government-commissioned report calling for the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) to be scrapped as a “significant step” towards arts education for all.
Introduced in 2010 by then education secretary Michael Gove, the EBacc requires pupils to study a minimum of seven GCSEs, including maths and a language, but excluding arts subjects. Campaigners have long since reported that schools have subsequently been forced to prioritise these core subjects with arts options increasingly excluded. The Cultural Learning Alliance last year reported a 42% decline in Arts GCSE entries since 2010.
The Government must build on this welcome move and continue to remove barriers to careers in the arts across the whole system.
Equity Spokesperson
Earlier this year Equity was amongst a coalition of arts and entertainment organisations who joined the Arts & Minds campaign as they marched on the Department of Education with a 10,000 signature letter demanding urgent action to support arts education in schools.
It is believed that under the new system teenagers will have the choice of two GCSEs that are either creative, humanities or languages and two free choice subjects alongside core subjects.
Responding to the report's recommendations, an Equity spokesperson said:
"The Government's commitment to scrap the English Baccalaureate marks a significant step towards increasing access to arts education for all.
"Alongside our allies in the arts and education sectors, Equity has been campaigning for The EBacc to be scrapped to give arts subjects parity in the curriculum. This decision recognises the multifaceted benefits of creative subjects and will empower children to see a career in the arts as an option.
“It is crucial that children who want a career in the creative industries are able to access these opportunities regardless of where they live. The Government must build on this welcome move and continue to remove barriers to careers in the arts across the whole system.”
