Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (7 September) commented on the latest policy paper from HEPI, which warns of a crisis in the creative arts, arguing that the introduction of the English Baccalaureate has seen STEM subjects given priority over others.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“The English Baccalaureate is not a formal qualification but government Ministers decided it should be awarded to all students achieving GCSEs above a C grade in English, mathematics, science, a humanities subject and a modern foreign language. School EBacc league tables have also been introduced.

“Employers, schools, universities and MPs on the Education Select Committee all warned that a focus on the EBacc would damage the study of subjects like art, music, ICT and RE.

“In her role as Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening should now review the evidence on the impact of the EBacc on other subjects and its use as a school performance measure.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. Modern universities: key facts 2017
3. A crisis in the creative arts in the UK? by Professor John Last, Vice-Chancellor, Norwich University of the Arts is published on Thursday 7 September and will be available here
4. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk