The core academic subjects that make up the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) at GCSE are those which the Russell Group says open more doors to more degrees at A level. Not studying the EBacc prior to age 16 is likely to close down options early by precluding pupils from taking those subjects any further (for example, at A level). They provide a sound basis for a variety of careers beyond the age of 16. These subjects also enrich pupils\u2019 studies and give them a broad general knowledge that will enable them to participate in and contribute to society.<\/p>
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There is evidence that suggests that subject choice at A level directly impacts the under-representation of lower socio-economic groups at high status universities, and that these gaps can be closed by reducing differences in attainment and subject choice at GCSE. The EBacc is therefore key to removing the barriers to ensure that all children are given the same chances through education to succeed.<\/p>
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Since the introduction of the EBacc the proportion of pupils taking this combination of subjects has risen from 22% in 2010 to 38% this year. This includes welcome increases in the proportion of pupils taking EBacc science (up from 63% in 2010 to 95% this year) and history or geography (up from 48% in 2010 to 78% this year). The Department is supporting increases which will further increase the take up of languages, launching a range of initiatives, including a languages Pedagogy Pilot Programme, a Mandarin Excellence Programme, and a package of generous financial incentives to boost teacher supply.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Gibb"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-20T16:28:34.467Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "English Baccalaureate"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the EBACC allows young people to keep their future education options open.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "190436"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 1, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }