English Baccalaureate - worth it for the child?

[Pennypinch]

Second eldest is now having to decide on GCSE options. They are Year 8 at a Comprehensive that is very heavily performing arts based (older sibling at a grammar didn’t’ have to decide until Year 9).

We had the meeting yesterday and from what I can make out, much like the assembly they gave to the pupils prior to the Easter holidays they really pushed the Eng Bacc.

The phrases “red brick university” and “makes you stand out” were used. In the booklet the phrases “the potential it unlocks four our pupils” and “empowers our pupils” are marked in bold on the Eng Bacc page.

Now the older sibling, has chosen Eng Bacc subjects as they are were an easy fit - all subjects they enjoy so it was an easy decision without much thought as to what the Eng Bacc meant.

However for this child, whilst a humanities subject is an enthusiastic choice for them, a language isn’t. (Although, in saying that, it does worry me that they lose their learning of a MFL by the end of Year 8 if they don’t pick one. But ultimately, their choice.)

This child has four options to take and the school allows three performing arts subjects to be chosen if any child would like to do them (they really pushed this point at the open evenings we went to).

Although I will say, whilst they showed the option blocks on the presentation slides yesterday evening, and whilst they are similarly set out in the leaflet given to us, there was no verbal reminder that taking three performing arts is allowed.

Not that I mean they should hand hold, but that it almost felt like they didn’t want to encourage it. (They became part of an academy about 2 years ago and the other school within this academy is an academic school, so I do wonder if they are moving away from the performing arts. At the open evening we went to in 2019, the school talked about how their Progress 8 was below average but this was because the government had initially said some subjects could be counted in the figures but then changed their mind a little later on and rather than making the kids change course, they ploughed on with those subjects/courses not caring what effect it had on the Progress 8; in other words, it gave the impression that they didn’t care about league tables etc but cared for the individual children more which hugely appealed to us. Now with all this talk about Eng Bacc etc, I suppose I’m worried that this mindset has changed.)

I should add they do offer a mixture of GCSE and BTEC, Cambridge Institute etc.

My AIBU, is about whether

YABU and the Eng Bacc is a worth while string to their bow regardless

or

YANBU - it is pushed for the single benefit of the school.

Thank you.

They're pushing the EBacc because the school will be measured on it. Deep down, the school knows it isn't right for everyone. The academy chain may be more concerned about the EBacc than the pupils, being one step removed. Some schools just make the option blocks so that everyone is forced into the EBacc - if they don't, then they're open to other combinations.

I know someone who wanted to do musical theatre when she was 14, so inevitably did performing arts subjects and not the EBacc. She changed her mind later, and it didn't stop her getting a place at Oxbridge for Law.

I do agree that it's a pity that we are producing fewer linguists. However I don't think making languages compulsory is the answer.

I think let the child choose what they want.
Forcing teenagers to do subjects they dislike is not helpful, and two years studying them is a long time.

GCSE MFL teacher (with a child in professional PA training) here: if your child is an all-rounder, and would do equally well in EBac subjects as anything else, then they represent a broad and balanced curriculum that will keep options open and potentially open doors. However, if any subject is likely to end with a lower grade, it is better to go with the higher grades.

Performing arts GCSEs will not lead to a career in performance, but perhaps a related job if followed up with A Levels. A performance career will require far more training than is offered at GCSE or A Level (think 20 hours + per week) and a great deal of natural talent too. Not to mention a fair dose of luck and being in the right place at the right time. However, the GCSEs are an excellent way to secure grades in something your child is passionate about and excels at. Dance, drama and music are all very different skills, and are by no means narrowing options, especially if combined with something essay-based, such as a humanities subject.

It’s not the school pushing it - it’s the DfE.
and yes it will be beneficial for uninetc
English, Maths, Science, a humanity and language GCSE are considered an eBacc. Why wouldn’t you have a child do that anyway?