English Baccalaureate – Michael Gove overlooks Creative Subjects

Published: 23 December 2012
Reporter: Sandra Giorgetti

Secretary of State for Education, The Right Honourable Michael Gove MP

In a move widely criticised as illustrating the Government's disregard for the future of creative industries in the UK, the Secretary of State for Education, The Right Honourable Michael Gove MP, has omitted from the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) any provision for a creative or technical subject such as design and technology, computer studies, music, art and design, or drama.

The Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and Theatrical Management Association (TMA), Julian Bird, has written an open letter highlighting the need for a skilled workforce in a creative industry that employs over 80,000 people and contributes billions to the Treasury annually.

Although schools are not obliged or limited to teaching EBacc subjects, there is evidence of a continuing decline in the take up of arts and cultural subjects in favour of ‘core’ subjects, and this "instead of–not as well as" endorsement disregards research that demonstrates links between creative learning and a number of valuable skills such as innovative problem solving.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has made a recommendation to include a creative or technical subject within the EBacc, which has the support of leaders in the theatre industry.

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