Despite the introduction of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), pupils are continuing to select GCSE subjects they enjoy, perform well at and are likely to assist with career choices, according to new research commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE).
The EBacc is not a qualification in itself, but represents the achievement of grade A2 - C at GCSE in the core academic subjects.
The research highlighted that although 98% of schools offer the GCSE subjects required for the EBacc, the proportion of pupils choosing a combination which could lead to it has only marginally changed since 2011 (49% 2012 compared with 46% 2011).
The proportion of schools which have amended their curriculum or option blocks in response to the EBacc has dropped this year compared with 2011, and is expected to decrease further in 2013. As such it is possible that the impact of the EBacc on subject choices has peaked at insignificant.