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| Photograph: WPA Pool/Getty Images |
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan will insist that all pupils
study the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects up until the age of 16. At present, only 39 per cent do - itself up
from 22 per cent when the EBacc measure was first introduced in 2010 by her
predecessor Michael Gove. This means that every pupil in Secondary School will
have to study the five core academic subjects; English, maths, science,
languages and geography or history up to GCSE level as a result of radical
reforms.
This policy outlined by Nicky Morgan is set to be introduced
alongside the new GCSE grading system being introduced for first teaching this
September, which replaces the A to G system with a new nine-to-one numbered
scale. The new grading system has been designed to reveal the differences
between candidates at the top end. Currently, candidates are expected to
achieve a C to attain a "good pass", although grades below this are
still officially considered passes.
Teachers’ leaders will argue the plan on studying the EBacc
subjects is too prescriptive - and that not every pupil is suited to such a
demanding academic diet.
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of
Teachers, said last night that Ms Morgan had reversed the previous government
policy of allowing schools to decide which pupils to put in for the EBacc “with
just one speech” and “without the least consultation”.
She said the new policy would “cause dismay amongst
parents”, adding: “Parents, like teachers want a broad and balanced curriculum
for their children”.
However, Ms Morgan states her plans are a key element of the
Government’s commitment to social justice. “We want every single person in the
country to have access to the best opportunities Britain has to offer -
starting with an excellent education,” she said.
In addition, she will announce the appointment of school
behavioural expert Tom Bennett to draw up plans for training teachers how to
tackle low-level disruption in the classroom - which, education standards
watchdog Ofsted estimates, is losing pupils up to an hour of learning a day.
The inspectorate found that children were having a
significant impact on the learning of others by swinging on chairs, playing on
mobile phones, making silly comments to get attention and passing notes around
in class.
