SEPTEmbEr 2013 / EducaTion oPTionS PaGE 13
PROMOTION
on THE uP
GcSE results show rise of academic subjects GCSE results published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) show there has been a rise in the number of GCSE entries in the EBacc subjects - the rigorous, academic subjects highly valued by employers and universities. The EBacc was announced by the government in autumn 2010. This is the first year that students’ choice of subjects will be reflected in the results. Pupils achieve the EBacc if they get GCSEs at grades A* to C across a core of academic subjects - English, maths, history or geography, two sciences and a language. The effects of the EBacc are shown in today’s GCSE results. The decline in languages has been reversed with the number of entries to language GCSEs now at a five-year high. The number of entries to history is at its highest for at least 16 years, while the number of geography entries is at its highest for nine years. There is also a record number of entries in biology, chemistry and physics as increasing numbers of pupils enter exams in the separate sciences rather than in core and additional science. Education minister Elizabeth Truss said: “The results show that the EBacc
“The results show that the EBacc has not just arrested the decline in the study of academic subjects at GCSE – it is reversing it.” – Education minister Elizabeth Truss has not just arrested the decline in the study of academic subjects at GCSE – it is reversing it. “It is very pleasing to see the increase in these important subjects – the ones that will keep pupils’ options open in the future. I am particularly delighted to see a languages revival – with an increase in the number of entries to French, German and Spanish GCSEs after years of decline. “The EBacc is the platform for young people to go on to A-levels and highquality vocational study. It will help them compete with their peers in the world’s best education jurisdictions, where they are expected to study a rigorous academic core.”