Pupils forced to switch GCSE courses as schools chase Ebacc results

Schools have put in place plans to restrict pupils’ GCSE choices as a direct result of the introduction of the new benchmark, a seminar has heard Teenagers are being given limited GCSE options and forced to switch courses midway as schools try to boost their scores in the new English baccalaureate (Ebacc), it has been claimed. In some cases, youngsters are being asked to change a year or less before they are due to sit exams, it was suggested. And almost half of schools have put in place plans to restrict pupils’ GCSE choices as a direct result of the Ebacc’s introduction. The education secretary, Michael Gove, introduced the Ebacc at the end of last year, and the measure is now included in league tables – allowing schools to be rated on the proportion of their pupils achieving the benchmark. To achieve the Ebacc, pupils must score at least a C grade in English, maths, science, a foreign language and either history or geography. But a seminar on the Ebacc and the national curriculum has heard that other subjects such as art, drama, music and religious education are being squeezed out, with more pressure being put on pupils to take those that are included. David Peck, director of the Curriculum Foundation, said that while some schools have opted to stick with their curriculum, others are changing it to fit with the Ebacc. “Some will change GCSEs mid-year. That’s certainly happening in a number of schools,” he said. He added that choices for pupils year 10 (the first year of GCSE study) are changing “very late”, while the options available for those starting GCSE courses this year have also altered. Speaking after the seminar, Peck added: “Some of the current year 11s [second year of GCSE study] have had to switch GCSE courses in some schools, that’s true.” In many cases, pupils have been asked to change so that they can take a language. Asked how long these pupils then have to study the course, Peck said: “A year or less in many cases.” Other schools are laying on “twilight” courses after school. Shadow schools secretary Andy Burnham, who arranged the seminar, said afterwards: “The danger is it puts the interests of the school above the interests of the individual.” In a survey of more than 2,400 teachers, conducted by the NASUWT teaching union, 43% say their school had planned to restrict the degree of choice 14-year-olds have over their GCSE options as a direct result of the Ebacc being introduced. NASUWT spokesman Chris Weavers told the seminar that those questioned had at the same time seen reductions in time spent on subjects not included in the Ebacc. In design and technology 17% had seen a reduction, 15% in information and computer technology, 13% each in art, music and drama, 12% in citizenship, 11% in personal, social, health and economic education, and 10% in religious education. “Schools are either stopping subjects or reducing curriculum time,” Weavers said. “There’s very clear evidence that it’s distorting the offer.” Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, chair of the Accord Coalition, said: “We have got a policy of freedom of choice, but in reality it’s a diminution of choice.” Peter Hall Jones, chief executive of the Curriculum Foundation, said: “It’s a bad Bacc.” Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the union had heard of pupils being asked to switch courses. “We are extremely concerned about it, ” he said. “It’s an inevitable consequence of creating a new performance indicator and judging schools against it. “What schools should be doing is considering what’s the most appropriate curriculum for their pupils. But, unfortunately, the nature of the high stakes accountability culture that we have at the moment is putting schools under enormous pressure to meet targets.” Lightman added: “There seems to be a worrying trend towards removing choice from young people at 14. I think that’s very dangerous in terms of motivating young people to choose subjects that play to their own strengths.” According to official figures, 15.6% of pupils in England, around one in six, achieved the Ebacc last summer. GCSEs English baccalaureate Schools guardian.co.uk

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