I WATCHED the English Baccalaureate (EBACC) debate in parliament on television on July 4 and here is the outcome so far. You should watch it at: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/…/ca06ebdb-0a8e-4867-a9ea-4cc8 .

Schools like Queen Elizabeth’s in Crediton are being forced into the government’s English Baccalaureate (EBACC) because the subjects contained within the EBACC carry league table points and all other subjects, and not just the arts, do not carry points.

The essential points are:

1) The government minister rejected that they value maths, English, biology, chemistry, physics, foreign language, humanities (geography and history), more than they value other subjects.

The subjects listed carry points for league tables and the subjects outside of that list do not carry points. This will have a desired effect of forcing schools to adopt the EBACC and squeeze out other subjects, particularly expressive art subjects.

2) The government minister said that Russell Group Universities favour an EBACC qualification.

Only 11 per cent of students apply to Russell Groups.

3) The government minister said they have invested heavily in additional extra curricular subjects, like music and drama.

He wasn’t detailed about this but it comes down to if a student wants these extra subjects then it will cost and be supplied as an addition to the EBACC. You may have to access it outside of the school.

Just like private schools that have the core EBACC subjects, you need to pay additional costs for a student to do music, drama etc.

So in the case of QE, Crediton? Well I have come to believe they are trying to make the best of government meddling.

I can see how they are wanting to play to their strengths in the sciences but equal attention should be given to the arts and technologies and they can only do this if they are free from an EBACC system.

The government wants 90 per cent of students taking EBACC by 2020.

The governments obsession with league tables will make schools look like they are failing if the schools don’t comply. But I firmly believe schools should make a stand and get the public on their side by giving parents and students accurate information as to what is going on with the government’s education policy.

With the introduction of EBACC there is only enough space for one additional expressive art subject, or tech/design subject and should you want to do one of the other subjects outside of the EBACC then you may find you are choosing from a long list of subjects.

The National Curriculum (no longer valid since the introduction this year of progress eight) used to protect the students rights to have access and take at least two of the four expressive arts. This has been taken away when students choose their options in year nine.

So the government has forced the desired effect that secondary schools offer the EBACC and because subjects outside the EBACC do not carry points these subjects have been squeezed out.

Already across the country there are courses not running because each year’s cohort will be having to decide ONE additional subject outside of the EBACC.

Less courses will be on offer in the future, yet another erosion.

Effectively, if you want any extras from a state school then you pay for them. That to me is more privatisation.

Andrew Vaccari

Crediton

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