Following reports that the Department for Education’s curriculum and assessment review could recommend that the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) be widened, the Baker Dearing Educational Trust is issuing the following statement from Deputy Chief Executive Kate Ambrosi.

“It is right that the Francis review is considering whether to reform the EBacc, as the accountability measure has proved not just counterproductive to the education of young people, but actively harmful.

“The EBacc measure, which prioritises the acquisition of knowledge over the development of attitudes and skills, has led to schools deemphasising technical subjects. Opportunities to develop vital employability skills, which are suited to being taught within these subjects, have also been squeezed out of the 11–16 phase of education.

“The curriculum review ought to throw open school doors to a wider range of technical subjects, such as health, digital media, and engineering. These will help young people understand the pathways available once they leave school at 16 or 18, including T Levels and apprenticeships.

“With the number of young people not in education, employment, or training increasing, it is vital that young people are made work-ready.

“EBacc has become emblematic of an education system that is failing to prepare young people for working life.

“It should be reviewed – then scrapped.”