How to stop creative GCSE subjects being squeezed out by the EBacc

Professor Abigail Harrison Moore has had an article published in The Conversation.

Abigail Harrison Moore (Head fof School) believes that an interdisciplinary approach and creativity needs to be at the bedrock of the UK’s education system, in order to prepare young people for higher education and the economic and social needs of the future. In the article, she looks at how the EBacc appears to value some subjects more than others and she looks to a future where students can exercise more choice to take creative arts subjects.

Harrison Moore says in the article:

“Anger at the way creative subjects for teenagers seem to have been sidelined by a new focus on core subjects at GCSE reached parliament on July 4, when MPs discussed the impact of the new E-Baccalaureate (EBacc) on students and schools.

“The government insists that its focus on five core GCSE subjects – English, maths, science, history or geography and a language – as part of the EBacc has not had an impact on the take up of creative subjects.

“But the petition that led to the parliamentary debate, signed by more than 102,000 people, and supported by 200 organisations from the creative sector, stated that:

The exclusion of art, music, drama and other expressive subjects is limiting, short sighted and cruel. Creativity must be at the heart of our schools.

“Campaigners are calling for an alternative fix. In the debate, suggestions included the creation of an EBacc plus where students would be able to select from a range of creative subjects, including art, design, music and drama.”