the arts in schools

[sophie365]

The arts are not included in the Coalition's English-Bacc. As a parent and teacher I feel deeply saddened that many young people may now only be offered one option choice in the arts for their GCSEs. What kind of message are we giving young people? :(

A more academic one.

I don't think the E-Bac as currently set up is intended to be an "all round" badge, and there are a lot of subjects not included.

But you're right: there is more to life than just academic subjects; and provision for non-EBac subjects may get squeezed. But if children continue to take about 10 subjects, then there remains space for non-EBac subjects. I suppose the message for now is "use it or lose it"

Thanks onimolap. I don't think school timetables or head teachers will be able to provide the choice you note. Where a young person would have excelled in the arts at GCSE I know that schools are now asking students to select from more limited option blocks allowing schools to to improve their E-Bacc performance - at the expense of broader subject choices. Does this really play to the strengths of all young people? I don't believe one glove fits all. Apart from wanting young people to enjoy their education, a career in the creative industries (one of the UK's most successful even in recent years) becomes increasingly less likely when your option choices for A Level have been limited.

I think it depends on the school DS(year 9) who is in the process of choosing options is still able to choose two "arts" subjects and have the E-Bacc.

...should these key choices depend on the school? Would a school which achieved well in the E-Bacc (retrospectively) be able to offer these option choices? A school which has not done well will need to provide more student 'guidance' than a school which has achieved less well.

What subjects are offered, or what combinations are available within the timetable, already depend on which school (eg availability of individual sciences, or the impossibility of fitting in both physics and German).

So this isn't a new factor - but it's a bugger when you realise your school can't offer particular combinations.

I think making students chose triple science as one of their option choices or requiring students to take a technology GCSE have a greater influence on the arts than the provision of the E Bacc itself.

I wish the International Bacc had been introduced - I think it's followed by private schools in England and other countries. These require students to study a minimum of one humanity, science(s), maths, english, a language and an arts subject - a well rounded and balanced education up to 16 where all subjects are equally valued.

My issue is with which subjects are classed as a humanity. History & Geography are but classics not I beleive.

I have chosen to send my children to an independent school partly becasue of how state schools treat the arts in my area.

No pupils will evern achieve the English Bacc in their school as on paper they have0% Maths & Science due to taking IGCSE. I do however think that it is a good idea that a foreign language should be studies.

DDs school only get to choose Two options ,but if you take triple science (and they are trying to make history or Geography compulsery as well ) it counts as an option choice .They must also do a DT subject.
So after the ebacc comes in children can be left with no actual choice at all.
Personally i would like rid of Citizenship and R.E/DT they are a waste of a subject.
DD2 excells at Art , Drama and Music she will have to drop triple Science as a choice to be able to do just one subject that she is good at.

Exactly! Why history and geography as opposed to classics? Why not the iGCSE? The E-Bacc seems so arbitrary. Once the statutory/and or advised subjects are selected, any element of choice or playing to strengths goes out the window. The I-Bacc encourages a broad curriculum why can't we offer the same in England? The message we are giving young people about what's acceptable (or perceived as 'academic') at GCSE level, really beggars belief.

I do think Independent schools will manage this better. Any schools that by default are now lower down the league tables (and this year there were many as the E-Bacc has been introduced retrospectively) will be ushering into E-Bacc friendly subjects no matter where a young persons talents may lay.