The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a school performance indicator in England linked to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) results.[1]: 7 It measures students' attainment by calculating an average score from specified subject grades. The EBacc includes subjects which are studied in many subsequent university programmes.[2]
In order to have an EBacc score for any student, they must take the following subjects at GCSE level:[2]
The EBacc concept emerged months after the 2010 general election, and has been modified and reduced in ambitions and scope but is still in place as of 2024. Its intentions then were; to ensure all age 16 students left with a set of academic qualifications, to strengthen the position of 'core subjects' in schools and to increase social mobility.[1]: 7
Though the qualification contains the term baccalaureate, it is not, unlike the French baccalaureate (baccalauréat) or the International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma Program), a qualification for entry into universities and tertiary education institutions. To gain access to universities in the United Kingdom and around the world, students are required to study and take exams for GCSEs and GCE Advanced Level or the International Baccalaureate which has increased in popularity in recent years.[citation needed]
The UK Government introduced a new performance indicator called the English Baccalaureate, which measures the percentage of students in a school who achieve 5+ A*-C grades (now five Grades 4 to 9 since the GCSE Reforms) in English, mathematics, two sciences, a foreign language and history or geography at GCSE level.[3] The reason for its introduction was to combat the perceived fall in the number of students studying foreign languages and science.[4]
In their election manifesto (14 April 2015), Cameron, the British Conservative Party politician declared that under their office, the UK government would make the English Baccalaureate a compulsory qualification to be completed by every 16 year student in secondary schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.[5] By the time this was put out to consultation by Nicky Morgan in November both the 100% goal and the reasons has changed:
Computer Science has now been included with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as an acceptable qualification.
On 19 July 2017, the Government published its response to the consultation on Implementing the English Baccalaureate.
University technical colleges, studio schools and further education colleges with key stage 4 provision will not be included in these targets.[6]
The Sutton Trust examined the effects of the proposals in 300 early adopters in 2013.[6]: 19 The report set out the following key findings:
In a guidance note issued in August 2019, the government explains the calculations and the indicators.[10]
GCSEs are graded with a number 1–9, 4 and above is considered a pass.[11] There are five academic areas (pillars):
Added together, this gives a total maximum point score of six times nine thus 54.[11] An average of the five pillars is taken, that is the total point score divided by 6, which is the student's 'Average point score'.[10][11] As an indication in England this figure for girls 2018 was 4.33.[11]
Sum the EBacc average point score for all pupils at the end of key stage 4 Then divide that by the number of pupils in the group.[10]
Published in 2019, this report[6]: 20 shows that "Percentage of GCSE pupils entered for all EBacc components" flat-lined in 2014 at under 40%, and that "Percentage of GCSE pupils who pass all the EBacc components" flat-lined in 2013 at under 25%. It then comments on the Sutton Trust findings that the measure widens the achievement gap for disadvantaged children.[1]: 2
It notes that the original aim was to switch children towards academic subjects and this was partially achieved and schools had switched resources. There had been a drop in exam entry in other crucial subjects and a loss of teachers.[1]: 3 However, now schools are confused as to the purpose, particularly the claim that it will help students to get into high status university. Parents, when polled, said they didn't need more indicators about their school but were worried about the narrowing of the curriculum and its impact on non-EBacc subjects. Additionally, almost all schools were experiencing significant problems with recruiting enough teachers of EBacc subjects, especially science and mathematics.[1]: 3
EDSK questions the need for an EBacc indicator, as its function is duplicated by the Progress 8/ Attainment 8 indicator, that has been in place since 2016.[1]
The "English Baccalaureate Certificate", or EBC, was a suggested exam system to replace the GCSE in England. After analysis, following professional criticism, the concept was dropped. It was never implemented.[6]
According to the Coalition Government spokespersons, Nick Clegg and Michael Gove, the (supposed) dumbing down of GCSEs was one of the motivating factors. The Government stated that it planned for the new qualifications to be more "rigorous", with exams to be taken at the end of the two-year course, rather than bi-annually as occurs under the modular GCSE system.[12][13]
There was particular concern about the treatment of creative subjects such as art, drama, music, and ICT, and also sport.[6] Chris Keates of union NASUWT criticised the announcement as being "entirely driven by political ideology".[14]
Northern Ireland Education Minister John O'Dowd criticised the UK Government for failing to consult the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland and Wales prior to the announcement, saying that he would announce his own proposals for the qualifications in Northern Ireland in due time.[15] Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews hinted that Wales might retain the current system,[16] with Roberto De Benedictis, divisional secretary of the Tawe Afan Nedd branch of the National Union of Teachers, praising the apparent reluctance of the Welsh government to participate in the new scheme.[17]
The announcement does not affect students in Scotland, which operates a separate system of qualifications from the rest of the United Kingdom.