GCSE art 'getting side-lined'

February 07 2011

The introduction of the English baccalaureate qualification is likely to lead to many schools dropping arts subjects and reducing the choices available to students, it has been suggested.

The baccalaureate is awarded to GCSE students who gain five A* to C grades in English, maths, science, a humanities subject and a foreign language.

According to the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD), some headteachers are planning to axe art and design as a GCSE option for their pupils, in order to steer them towards baccalaureate subjects.

NSEAG general secretary John Steers told the publication: "It is particularly strange because the creative industries employ so many British people. Of course the subjects in the English baccalaureate are very important, but alone they are not what makes a broad, liberal education."

Speaking last month, Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said school principals and teachers are "dismayed" that the government has "changed the goalposts" with the introduction of this new qualification.

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