Why is now the time to do something?

The ‘Bacc for the Future’ campaign was instrumental in pointing out how the EBacc narrows the curriculum. It called for the DfE to include arts and technical subjects in the EBacc and aimed to prevent a hierarchy of subjects While this campaign received widespread support, the government declined the opportunity to reform the EBacc However, now the combined negative impact of the EBacc and Progress 8 can be clearly seen, it is time for reform.

An appetite for change is growing in the education sector Organisations such as the House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee, the Rethinking Assessment movement and the Times Education Commission have developed proposals for a different kind of assessment and qualifications system for pupils aged 14-18. Previous education secretaries David Blunkett and Kenneth Baker have spoken in favour of reform Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservative government has expressed an interest in a British Baccalaureate with a broader focus on skills and technical subjects, while the Labour Party is considering proposals for changes to assessments.

But it is clear that the school curriculum, assessment and qualifications system will not change substantially without a review and reform of the accountability system, of which both the EBacc and Progress 8 are a part.

What are we calling for?

We are asking government to:

Review the impact of accountability measures (the EBacc and Progress 8) on arts and technology subjects

Reform the Progress 8 accountability measure, giving pupils more freedom of choice at GCSE

Deliver the Arts Premium promised in the Conservatives’ 2019 election manifesto