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First EBacc CAMPAIGN SUCCESS!
ISM, Bacc for the Future, Include Design and Heads for the Arts respond to GCSE announcement This is a response to the Government announcement that they will introduce a ‘new eight-subject measure of GCSEs, including English and maths, three subjects out of sciences, languages, history and geography and three other subjects, such as art, music or RE’ and the announcement that the English Baccalaureate Certificates are being dropped in favour of reformed, rigorous GCSEs. The detail of the announcement will be scrutinised over the coming days and weeks. Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the ISM and coordinator of the Bacc for the Future campaign said: ‘We welcome this announcement; this is good news for children and good news for education. We must learn from the last six months of consultation and ensure we work together to create high quality and rigorous GCSEs and A Levels with appropriate assessment fit for the 21st Century. Creative subjects such as art, music and design and technology need to stay at the heart of education so that we can develop talented youngsters to feed our creative industries and generate growth. ‘The voices of the creative industries and education sectors have been listened to, and we welcome this. We will now be looking closely at the new proposed National Curriculum for music and work with the Government to ensure that we have a National Curriculum, GCSEs and A-levels fit for the future.’ Joe Macleod, Global Design Director at ustwo and coordinator of #IncludeDesign campaign said: ‘This is fantastic news for the whole of the design industry and creative economy. That Michael Gove is now listening to the 100 creative industry and education leaders who handed in a letter to Number 10 last week raising their serious concerns is a great step forwards. ‘Without these changes to the EBacc, we would have lost the designers, architects and creativies of the future, as their talents would have been constricted by schools being pushed to prioritise an unnecessarily narrow range of subjects that reflected the past and not the future. The creative industries are worth more than £60 billion a year to the UK economy and it would have been a catastrophe if creative subjects such as design & technology had been lost from schools at Key Stage 4. Now we need to see the same breadth included at A Level too.’ Peter Nutkins, Headmaster of Humphrey Perkins School, Loughborough, and a member of the Heads for the Arts group, said: ‘We welcome the announcement today by Mr Gove that creative subjects are to be included in his new eight subject measure of GCSEs. Creativity is the heart and soul of a school and deserves to have its rightful place in any curriculum that seeks to challenge and inspire a generation. Having responded to the outcry from the select committee, education and industry sectors over the exclusion of subjects such as music and art as well as the pace of change, we now look for a clear way forward to ensure the highest standards across the curriculum delivered over a sensible time-scale.’ |
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Bacc for the Future and #Include Design endorse Education Select Committee’s serious concerns on Key Stage 4 Reform.
31 January 2012. The Cross-Party Education Select Committee has joined the Include Design and Bacc for the Future campaigns in calling for ‘a red light’ on GCSE reform to avoid serious damage to the education of our children. The Education Select Committee stated that the ‘case for the abolition of key GCSEs is still unproven’ and that the Government is ‘trying to do too much, too fast’. The report also found that ‘there is a lack of overall coherence in the Government’s approach to reform of the curriculum, qualifications and school accountability system’. Deborah Annetts, Chief of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, and coordinator of the Bacc for the Future campaign, responded to the report saying: ‘Few people doubt the need for Key Stage 4 reform, but the Education Select Committee has raised concerns about the pace and nature of the proposed changes to the examination system. These concerns mirror those voiced by the Bacc for the Future campaign and the many education experts who have raised significant doubts about the structure, content and basis of these proposals. ‘We ask the Government to listen carefully to the findings of this respected Committee. ‘We endorse the Select Committee’s doubt over the possibility to ‘upgrade’ some subjects without implicitly ‘downgrading’ others. The unintended consequence of these reforms could be the creation of a divisive two-tier education system. We must have one qualification with subject-appropriate and rigorous modes of assessment. ‘In particular we would draw attention to our industry and higher education colleagues in the Bacc for the Future campaign who have joined calls urging the Government to include creative subjects and revise its Key Stage 4 proposals. Given the economic significance of the creative economy this should be a no-brainer; we must not lose the creative legacy of the Olympics and Paralympics.’ Joe Macleod, coordinator of the #IncludeDesign campaign said: ‘Design and the creative industries are hugely important to the UK economy and the exclusion of design and other creative subjects from EBacc threatens the pipeline of home grown creative talent that will be needed for their future success. The Education Select Committee’s report forcefully highlights this, showing how the Government’s proposed reforms risk down-grading creative subjects in school and ignoring their essential importance to business innovation. It’s vital the Government now takes a step back and re-considers these reforms to insure they do not cause irreparable damage to children and the economy. Even the CBI has criticised the absence of creative subjects.’ |
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Letter from Tiffin School to the Russell Group of Universities
30 January 2012. Hilda Clarke, Head of the Tiffin School in Kingston-upon-Thames has written to the Russell Group of Universities outlining her concerns about how the term 'facilitating subjects' used by the Russell Group was being misinterpreted by both the press and the public. In her letter Ms Clarke notes: "Since the term had been introduced, schools had seen a decline in the number of students choosing these subjects at A Level. Often under pressure from parents, the Russell Group advice was being misinterpreted as meaning that students should only choose facilitating subjects." Ms Clarke calls on the Russell Group to clarify their position to ensure parity between subjects is ensured. Read the full letter here: http://bit.ly/YiBAzE |
Non-EBacc subjects suffering as timetables are cut and teachers laid-off
31 January 2012.
Timetabled time has been reduced and specialist teachers laid-off across the range of non-English Baccalaureate subjects, a study has found.
Research involving 2,500 teachers shows that timetabled provision for at least 12 non-EBacc subjects has decreased in many schools, while time dedicated to the six eligible EBacc subjects has increased.
In the NASUWT study, around 1,000 teachers responded to two questions asking whether non-EBacc subjects had been cut and whether EBacc subjects had been prioritised.
Of these, the worst hit subject was art, with 415 teachers reporting decreased timetable time being allocated, and design and technology, which 403 teachers said had been cut in their school.
Of the 12 subjects that the teachers reported had been cut, others notably affected include religious education, (with 354 reporting a decrease), ICT (396), music (386) and drama (378).
31 January 2012.
Timetabled time has been reduced and specialist teachers laid-off across the range of non-English Baccalaureate subjects, a study has found.
Research involving 2,500 teachers shows that timetabled provision for at least 12 non-EBacc subjects has decreased in many schools, while time dedicated to the six eligible EBacc subjects has increased.
In the NASUWT study, around 1,000 teachers responded to two questions asking whether non-EBacc subjects had been cut and whether EBacc subjects had been prioritised.
Of these, the worst hit subject was art, with 415 teachers reporting decreased timetable time being allocated, and design and technology, which 403 teachers said had been cut in their school.
Of the 12 subjects that the teachers reported had been cut, others notably affected include religious education, (with 354 reporting a decrease), ICT (396), music (386) and drama (378).
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Computer science is going to become part of the EBacc
30 January 2012. It will be included as one of the science options that count towards this measure. Commenting on the inclusion of Computer Science in the EBacc’s science pillar, Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the ISM – the organisation coordinating the Bacc for the Future campaign – said: "The addition of computer science into the scientific pillar of the EBacc is a welcome sign that Michael Gove is willing to listen to criticism and respond. It also demonstrates that the Government recognises that the Russell Group list of facilitating subjects is a guide to A-level choice and not the final list of subjects in the EBacc. Given the recognition of the importance of the creative and technological industries this decision demonstrates, will Mr Gove now listen to the needs of the creative economy and introduce rigorous creative subjects to the EBacc?" |
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Over 100 organisations urgently call on Prime Minister to slow EBacc reforms
23 January 2012 The Bacc for the Future Campaign today handed in a letter to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister calling for the consultation on the proposed English Baccalaureate (EBacc) to be extended and the full impact of the absence of creative and vocational subjects to be properly considered. The letter, which was organised jointly with the Ebaccpetition and#includeDesign campigns, was signed by over 100 high profile arts, creative industry and educational figures and organisation including Ruth Mackenzie CBE, responsible for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Lord Putnam, The National Portrait Gallery, Shakespeare’s Globe, CISCO systems, D&AD, Design Council, University of the Arts London, Rambert Dance Company, UK Dance, UK Music, National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Head Teachers . Deborah Annetts, CEO, Incorporated Society of Musicians who was part of the letter hand in at No 10 Downing Street, on behalf of Bacc for the Future said: “As they stand, these proposals will undermine our world leading education system and our world leading creative industries. The creative sector wants the Government to slow down and think carefully about the way forward. Whether it is called a GCSE or EBC, we need to ensure that there is one type of qualification, and not a two tier system which treats creative subjects as second class. We also need to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum in our schools.” Russell Hobby, General Secretary, National Association of Head Teachers also commented: “There is still a lot to be done before new changes can be implemented with any degree of confidence. We need to consider assessment, curriculum and accountability together if we are to avoid the new certificates being undermined by all the old problems. Most of all, we need a curriculum which properly addresses the needs of all students and which provides stretch and challenge for pupils with a wide range of skills and abilities.” The full text for the letter and a list of signatories can be downloaded here |
Exciting New Campaign Videos by Kingston University Students
20 January 2013
Check out these exciting and eloquent videos made by Kingston University students supporting the Bacc for the Future Campaign:
This video illustrates how creativity influences everything around us: http://bit.ly/WQd0mR
The importance of design: http://bit.ly/WQd0mR
#baccforthefuture at the Tate Modern: http://bit.ly/10vPnXP
The EBacc threatens to decimate the next generation of cultural leaders: http://bit.ly/WgJPKf
Thank you to all the talented students who used their creative skills and PLEASE SHARE!
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Powerful #IncludeDesign Video
20 January 2013 Check out this powerful video about the lack of creative subjects in the EBacc from our sister campaign #IncludeDesign here: http://bit.ly/VHnFn1 |
Former Conservative Education Secretary says EBacc reforms are a "throwback" to 1950s
20th January 2013
Kenneth Baker launched a damning attack on Michael Gove's EBacc reforms in a recent interview with the New Statesman. Lord Baker described the new EBacc as a throwback to the School Certificate he sat as a 16-year-old in 1951. He said "The EBacc is very similar to the exam I sat in 1951 when I was 16, the School Certificate. It’s exactly the same, exactly! I was the last year that took it, because it simply wasn’t broad enough for most children. Only seven per cent of young people went on to post-16 education, I was part of a privileged elite. And the EBacc is a throwback to that."
Having introduced GCSEs in 1986 as the then-Education Secretary, Lord Baker said he doubtful that Gove would meet his target of
replacing the exams with the EBacc in 2015, with the first papers sat in 2017, saying Education Reforms take much longer than this to implement.
Read the full interview here: http://bit.ly/VhRIR9
20th January 2013
Kenneth Baker launched a damning attack on Michael Gove's EBacc reforms in a recent interview with the New Statesman. Lord Baker described the new EBacc as a throwback to the School Certificate he sat as a 16-year-old in 1951. He said "The EBacc is very similar to the exam I sat in 1951 when I was 16, the School Certificate. It’s exactly the same, exactly! I was the last year that took it, because it simply wasn’t broad enough for most children. Only seven per cent of young people went on to post-16 education, I was part of a privileged elite. And the EBacc is a throwback to that."
Having introduced GCSEs in 1986 as the then-Education Secretary, Lord Baker said he doubtful that Gove would meet his target of
replacing the exams with the EBacc in 2015, with the first papers sat in 2017, saying Education Reforms take much longer than this to implement.
Read the full interview here: http://bit.ly/VhRIR9
Gove wobbling on EBacc
18 January 2013
The Times Educational Supplement suggests Michael Gove is wobbling on his plans to introduce the EBacc.
William Stewart writes; 'TES understands that the EBC is now so under siege that the department may be about to back down on key elements of the reform. The aspects alleged to be under threat are so central to the whole EBC concept that to do so could represent an embarrassing retreat for Gove. But the alternatives available to him look equally untenable. If he proceeds with the qualification as originally envisaged, not only are experts warning that it will lead to “more wrong grades” awarded according to “the luck of the draw” but many schools may simply refuse to use it.'
See the full article here: http://bit.ly/XJPFWq
The TES Editorial asks If the EBacc is Gove's Poll Tax Moment. Read the article here: http://bit.ly/WbLuAT
18 January 2013
The Times Educational Supplement suggests Michael Gove is wobbling on his plans to introduce the EBacc.
William Stewart writes; 'TES understands that the EBC is now so under siege that the department may be about to back down on key elements of the reform. The aspects alleged to be under threat are so central to the whole EBC concept that to do so could represent an embarrassing retreat for Gove. But the alternatives available to him look equally untenable. If he proceeds with the qualification as originally envisaged, not only are experts warning that it will lead to “more wrong grades” awarded according to “the luck of the draw” but many schools may simply refuse to use it.'
See the full article here: http://bit.ly/XJPFWq
The TES Editorial asks If the EBacc is Gove's Poll Tax Moment. Read the article here: http://bit.ly/WbLuAT
Labour Voices Concern about the EBacc in House of Commons Debate
16 January 2013
In a House of Commons Parliamentary debate, Labour's Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg MP warns the new EBacc risks 'ushering in a decade of economic decline', taking Britain back to a ’19th-century education system’, and wreacking 'serious long term damage to our economy.'
Read the full parliamentary debate on Examination Reform here: http://bit.ly/10ClF4t
The House of Lords debate the EBacc
14 Jan 2013
Members of the House of Lords voiced their concerns on the lack of creative subjects in the EBacc in a Parliamentary Debate on 14 January 2013. The Earl of Earl of Clancarty initiated the parliamentary debate 'To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will reconsider their decision to omit certain arts subjects from the proposed English Baccalaureate Certificate.'
The Earl of Earl of Clancarty noted "we are living through a time when the arts and creative industries have become central to our society, central to our culture and... hugely significant economically. They could of course be more so, but the arts are in real danger of taking a backward turn at a time when the Government should be seizing the day and capitalising on what is now in place".
Baroness Morris of Yardley voiced the widely-held concern about the lack of parity between subjects included in the EBacc and those not included in it, saying the non-EBacc subjects "will be seen as marginal-they will not be the gold standard. However the Government might try to argue that they are not putting the arts subjects at a disadvantage, the lessons of almost a quarter of a century of a national curriculum and assessment system tell otherwise. We have learnt over that time that what is measured is what is valued, and what schools are held accountable for is where they will put their efforts."
Lord Storey said, "as a nation, our success in the arts and creative industries is second to none. It brings billions to our economy. In Questions earlier today, for example, I mentioned that the UK's music industry alone brings nearly £4 billion to the economy. Our creative industries are the envy of the world and, as a country, we should be doing all that we can to protect that jewel in our crown."
Read the full Parliamentary debate here: http://bit.ly/UMLmY9
14 Jan 2013
Members of the House of Lords voiced their concerns on the lack of creative subjects in the EBacc in a Parliamentary Debate on 14 January 2013. The Earl of Earl of Clancarty initiated the parliamentary debate 'To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will reconsider their decision to omit certain arts subjects from the proposed English Baccalaureate Certificate.'
The Earl of Earl of Clancarty noted "we are living through a time when the arts and creative industries have become central to our society, central to our culture and... hugely significant economically. They could of course be more so, but the arts are in real danger of taking a backward turn at a time when the Government should be seizing the day and capitalising on what is now in place".
Baroness Morris of Yardley voiced the widely-held concern about the lack of parity between subjects included in the EBacc and those not included in it, saying the non-EBacc subjects "will be seen as marginal-they will not be the gold standard. However the Government might try to argue that they are not putting the arts subjects at a disadvantage, the lessons of almost a quarter of a century of a national curriculum and assessment system tell otherwise. We have learnt over that time that what is measured is what is valued, and what schools are held accountable for is where they will put their efforts."
Lord Storey said, "as a nation, our success in the arts and creative industries is second to none. It brings billions to our economy. In Questions earlier today, for example, I mentioned that the UK's music industry alone brings nearly £4 billion to the economy. Our creative industries are the envy of the world and, as a country, we should be doing all that we can to protect that jewel in our crown."
Read the full Parliamentary debate here: http://bit.ly/UMLmY9
EBacc plans are unfair to the Arts warn teachers and researchers from Goldsmiths, University of London
In a recent letter to The Independent teachers and researchers who work at Goldsmiths, University of London warned:
"The new EBacc will cause long-term economic harm to Britain. Marginalising the creative arts in the school curriculum will decimate the next generations of architects, designers, filmmakers, theatre-makers and composers. Creativity is good for the economy, and intelligent governments should not seek to stifle it."
Read the full letter here: http://ind.pn/WIZvri
In a recent letter to The Independent teachers and researchers who work at Goldsmiths, University of London warned:
"The new EBacc will cause long-term economic harm to Britain. Marginalising the creative arts in the school curriculum will decimate the next generations of architects, designers, filmmakers, theatre-makers and composers. Creativity is good for the economy, and intelligent governments should not seek to stifle it."
Read the full letter here: http://ind.pn/WIZvri
Chiswick School Head Teacher Speaks Out on the EBacc
The Head Teacher at Chiswick School, Tony Ryan, wrote a powerful letter to parents outlining his concerns about the EBacc and the threat to creativity in schools. Mr Ryan wrote:
"Government emphasis centres on the introduction of the EBacc (which singles out Maths, English, Science, History and/or Geography and a foreign language as a combined certificate). A great number of Chiswick students already study this combination of subjects and we will continue to encourage all students who can pass these subjects to take them.
By omission the EBacc marginalises the arts. Our vision document however places an increased emphasis on this area. This is an area of strength at Chiswick and one in which many of our students excel. Ditto PE which is hardly mentioned within government reforms but is again strong at Chiswick. I mention these two subjects specifically but there are others that have been sacrificed at the altar of the EBacc."
Read the rest of the letter here: http://bit.ly/13irP7m
The Head Teacher at Chiswick School, Tony Ryan, wrote a powerful letter to parents outlining his concerns about the EBacc and the threat to creativity in schools. Mr Ryan wrote:
"Government emphasis centres on the introduction of the EBacc (which singles out Maths, English, Science, History and/or Geography and a foreign language as a combined certificate). A great number of Chiswick students already study this combination of subjects and we will continue to encourage all students who can pass these subjects to take them.
By omission the EBacc marginalises the arts. Our vision document however places an increased emphasis on this area. This is an area of strength at Chiswick and one in which many of our students excel. Ditto PE which is hardly mentioned within government reforms but is again strong at Chiswick. I mention these two subjects specifically but there are others that have been sacrificed at the altar of the EBacc."
Read the rest of the letter here: http://bit.ly/13irP7m
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Heads for the Arts showcase the role of arts in successful schools
14 Jan 2013 A group of leading Headteachers from across England have come together to showcase the role of creative subjects in successful secondary schools. Their website promotes examples of how each school's track record is underpinned by strong arts provision. They also argue that the creative subjects should be a key part of any future EBacc, should these proposals go ahead. Heads for the Arts are active supporters of the Bacc for the Future and #includeDesign campaigns |
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Stella McCartney, Jonathan Ive and Terence Conran urge Gove to include creative subjects
6 December 2012 Word-leading designers Stella McCartney, Jonathan Ive and Terence Conran have written to Education Secretary Michael Gove along with other design leaders urging him to include creative subjects in the EBacc. The letter notes the economic impact the exclusion of Design and Technology and Art and Design will have on the Design Industry. They note the UK creative industries are the envy of the world. They point out that the innovation that fuels UK growth relies on knowledge, the skilled use of materials and the command of ideas, all crucial skills taught in Design and Technology and Art and Design. |
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#IncludeDesign campaign launched.
The UK Design Industry has come together to form the #IncludeDesign campaign to oppose the exclusion of Design and Arts from the EBacc. Campaign supporters fear this side-lining of creative subjects may result in a generation of lost designers which will have a huge impact on UK businesses and the economy. #IncludeDesign work closely with #BaccfortheFuture. |
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Sir Nicholas Hytner warns arts will be pushed to the margins
21 November 2012 Sir Nicholas Hytner, Artistic Director of the National Theatre said: "The introduction of the EBacc risks pushing the arts to the margins of the curriculum in secondary schools. We are already seeing its impact, with drama and performing arts the subjects most likely to be withdrawn in schools in response to the EBacc. Good arts provision in schools is essential and it needs to be written into the curriculum and delivered by specialist teachers. If it’s voluntary and extra-curricular, many children will of course continue to be taken to the theatre or join after-school drama clubs, but many more will miss out -- not just on the enjoyment and inspiration of theatre and drama, but on the important learning and development that comes through participating in the arts from an early age. Theatres and other arts organisations will not be able to plug the gap if the new EBacc excises the arts from options for qualifications at 16. It’s not about future audiences, or even about future actors – it’s about providing a broad education in all the artforms, as a right for each generation." |
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Sculptors back the campaign for a sixth pillar
14 November 2012 Statement of support from the Royal British Society of Sculptors: 'In this country we have, until now, valued the arts and put them at the centre of a curriculum aimed at producing individuals who can think for themselves. It is no coincidence that we are recognised globally for our Creative Arts and for our innovative thinking across all fields. To take the arts out of the core KS4 curriculum will not only leave us poorer creatively, but will take away the one element of our education system which sets us apart from much of the world.' |
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NSEAD backs the campaign
Lesley Butterworth, General Secretary of National Society for Education in Art and Design says: ‘I ask everyone to back the Bacc for the Future campaign and sign the petition. A broad and balanced curriculum at Key Stage 4 must include the creative and cultural subjects, to include art and design. I ask the Secretary of State for Education to listen to the experts; artists, makers and designers, teachers of art and design, higher education lecturers and colleagues in industry and include a sixth pillar of creative industry relevant subjects in the EBacc. If we do not do this, we will marginalise and loose the vital knowledge, skills and learning which underpin both our education system and our creative and cultural economy in which art and design plays such a crucial role.’ |
Letter from creative industry leaders published in the Sunday Telegraph
Sunday 4 November 2012
The Sunday Telegraph has published a letter from key creative industry figures and an article on line calling for a sixth pillar to be included in the English Baccalaureate.
Sunday 4 November 2012
The Sunday Telegraph has published a letter from key creative industry figures and an article on line calling for a sixth pillar to be included in the English Baccalaureate.
The Guardian - Celebrities back call for creativity in the EBacc
Saturday 3 November 2012
Thomas Ades, Grayson Perry, Jude Law, Julian Lloyd Webber have all backed calls for the EBacc to include a sixth pillar of the English Baccalaureate. You can read the article, which was on the front page of the Saturday Guardian.
Saturday 3 November 2012
Thomas Ades, Grayson Perry, Jude Law, Julian Lloyd Webber have all backed calls for the EBacc to include a sixth pillar of the English Baccalaureate. You can read the article, which was on the front page of the Saturday Guardian.
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Nicola Benedetti calls for a broad and diverse curriculum
2 November 2012 Nicola Benedetti said: 'The arts help young people to express and understand the core of their being, which is fundamental to achieving both success and fulfilment throughout their life. Creative subjects like art, music, drama and design should not be seen as second best or as options for those unable to cope with “academic” subjects but should take their place alongside them within a broad and diverse curriculum. Now is not the time to downgrade access to cultural learning in our schools, especially for the most underprivileged and vulnerable in our society. At a time of economic and social pressures, the case for cultural learning is stronger than ever. Please support the Bacc for the Future campaign and sign the petition.' |
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London Contemporary Dance School joins the campaign
1 November 2012 Veronica Lewis, Director of the London Contemporary Dance School said: ‘The UK’s track record in Cultural Education is currently the envy of the world and British artists thrive globally. Surely it is inconceivable for the UK to wish to lose its leadership role, which would be inevitable if our children are not exposed to education through the arts?’ – Veronica Lewis, Director, London Contemporary Dance School.' |
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Rambert Dance Company back the campaign
31 October 2012 Paul Hoskins, Music Director of the Rambert Dance Company said: 'One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of my job as Music Director at Rambert is conducting performances of new music and dance in front of thousands of young people, all over the UK. They come to the theatre, often for the first time in their lives, and it makes a huge impression on them, and on us. I fear that the government's proposals to exclude creative subjects from the English Baccalaureate could threaten this experience for many, and have unintended consequences for the delicate ecology of the arts in this country. 'I am a school governor and a parent of three teenagers, and I naturally support a rigorous curriculum and exam system. However, the creative subjects are in no way soft options, and it can be no coincidence that the best schools place a premium on outstanding and energetic teachers of music, dance, art and drama. These subjects breathe an energy into the ethos and life of a school, which feeds success in all areas of the curriculum. I urge the government to take heed of the Bacc for the Future campaign, and include creative subjects. Now is actually time to expand activity in these areas, not reduce it.' |
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Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre backs the Bacc campaign
25 October 2012 Neil Constable, Chief Executive, Shakespeare’s Globe said: “At a time when we have just been celebrating one of the world’s playwrights with the World Shakespeare Festival and when our creative and cultural skills have shone around the world with the Olympic and Paralympic Games ceremonies, it appears bizarre for Government to now marginalise the arts and stop students enjoying the opportunity for a fully rounded education.” |
UK Music CEO backs the campaign
19 October 2012
Quote from UK Music CEO Jo Dipple: “We must ensure that music, arts and culture remain a core part of this country’s education system. Creativity defines us as a nation. The best societies in the world educate their next generation workforces in these subjects. If we lose our advantage in this area it would be a tragedy for the country and would remove huge economic opportunities for young people. I am in full support of the BACC for the Future campaign”
19 October 2012
Quote from UK Music CEO Jo Dipple: “We must ensure that music, arts and culture remain a core part of this country’s education system. Creativity defines us as a nation. The best societies in the world educate their next generation workforces in these subjects. If we lose our advantage in this area it would be a tragedy for the country and would remove huge economic opportunities for young people. I am in full support of the BACC for the Future campaign”
Arlene Phillips CBE backs Bacc for the Future campaign
18 October 2012
Arlene Phillips CBE said: 'You do not have to look much further than the Olympics to realise just how central creativity is to our culture, education, and our economy – be it dance, music or film. It is staggering that the current policy should be so mistaken as to devalue the creative and cultural skills which underpin such a large part of our economy and lie at the heart of a good education. I urge people to sign the Bacc for the Future campaign, support calls for an inquiry into the absence of creativity from GCSE reform, and call on the Government to reform the EBacc to include a sixth pillar of creative and cultural subjects.'
18 October 2012
Arlene Phillips CBE said: 'You do not have to look much further than the Olympics to realise just how central creativity is to our culture, education, and our economy – be it dance, music or film. It is staggering that the current policy should be so mistaken as to devalue the creative and cultural skills which underpin such a large part of our economy and lie at the heart of a good education. I urge people to sign the Bacc for the Future campaign, support calls for an inquiry into the absence of creativity from GCSE reform, and call on the Government to reform the EBacc to include a sixth pillar of creative and cultural subjects.'
Head teachers express concern over EBacc
5 October 2012
Commenting on figures released on Friday, October 5, 2012, which show the take-up of subjects included in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said:
'It is no surprise that when schools are put in a position where their future is based on certain subjects, the result is an increased uptake. Our fear is that the focus on a limited range of subjects will be to the detriment of disciplines like music and religious studies, which are no less rigorous but which could see provision reduced as schools focus on the EBacc combination.'
5 October 2012
Commenting on figures released on Friday, October 5, 2012, which show the take-up of subjects included in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said:
'It is no surprise that when schools are put in a position where their future is based on certain subjects, the result is an increased uptake. Our fear is that the focus on a limited range of subjects will be to the detriment of disciplines like music and religious studies, which are no less rigorous but which could see provision reduced as schools focus on the EBacc combination.'
Nicholas Serota warns against EBacc
27 September 2012
Tate Director, Nicholas Serota, has criticised the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) in his speech presenting the annual report of the Tate.
'The proposals do not provide for the arts as being one of the core subjects and the way in which the proposals have been formulated makes it very clear that art, design, music, drama and dance will be pushed to the margin with very little time in the curriculum for those subjects.
'We regard cultural learning as being more important than ever and we think that the arts have a primary role to play in a world that is dependent on literacy of all kinds, including visual.'
27 September 2012
Tate Director, Nicholas Serota, has criticised the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) in his speech presenting the annual report of the Tate.
'The proposals do not provide for the arts as being one of the core subjects and the way in which the proposals have been formulated makes it very clear that art, design, music, drama and dance will be pushed to the margin with very little time in the curriculum for those subjects.
'We regard cultural learning as being more important than ever and we think that the arts have a primary role to play in a world that is dependent on literacy of all kinds, including visual.'
'If we’re going to reform GCSEs, we need to get it right'
15 October 2012
The Bacc for the Future campaign has been launched, calling on the Government to get its GCSE reforms right as it launches a campaign for creative and cultural subjects like music and design & technology to be included in the new English Baccalaureate.
The campaign is calling for a sixth pillar of creative subjects, including music, to be part of the EBacc. One of the first acts of the campaign is to call for the Education Select Committee to hold an inquiry into the lack of creative subjects in the EBacc.
Julian Lloyd Webber, cellist, said: ‘The absence of creative subjects like music from the EBacc beggars belief given how important creativity is to children and our economy. The Government must listen to the overwhelming support for creative subjects and for the creative industries and create the sixth pillar for the creative subjects.’
Tasmin Little, violinist, also noted: ‘Music plays a central role in our education, in our culture and in our economy. One only has to look back a few weeks to the Olympics to remember this. If there is to be any hope of safeguarding our economic future the EBacc must include a sixth pillar of creative and cultural subjects. I urge everyone to sign the Bacc for the Future petition, and I urge the Education Select Committee to hold an inquiry into these proposals.’
15 October 2012
The Bacc for the Future campaign has been launched, calling on the Government to get its GCSE reforms right as it launches a campaign for creative and cultural subjects like music and design & technology to be included in the new English Baccalaureate.
The campaign is calling for a sixth pillar of creative subjects, including music, to be part of the EBacc. One of the first acts of the campaign is to call for the Education Select Committee to hold an inquiry into the lack of creative subjects in the EBacc.
Julian Lloyd Webber, cellist, said: ‘The absence of creative subjects like music from the EBacc beggars belief given how important creativity is to children and our economy. The Government must listen to the overwhelming support for creative subjects and for the creative industries and create the sixth pillar for the creative subjects.’
Tasmin Little, violinist, also noted: ‘Music plays a central role in our education, in our culture and in our economy. One only has to look back a few weeks to the Olympics to remember this. If there is to be any hope of safeguarding our economic future the EBacc must include a sixth pillar of creative and cultural subjects. I urge everyone to sign the Bacc for the Future petition, and I urge the Education Select Committee to hold an inquiry into these proposals.’
Education Select Committee chairman warns Michael Gove over reform
4 October 2012
Responding to questions about the English Baccalaureate Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) in Belfast, Graham Stuart, chairman of the Commons select committee, told the Head Teachers that he though the plan was 'ill-conceived' and 'incoherent.'
He said that ministers appeared not to be listening to the voice of the professionals and suggested that 'If there is clear thinking going on in the department, it has so far escaped the chairman of the education select committee.'
4 October 2012
Responding to questions about the English Baccalaureate Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) in Belfast, Graham Stuart, chairman of the Commons select committee, told the Head Teachers that he though the plan was 'ill-conceived' and 'incoherent.'
He said that ministers appeared not to be listening to the voice of the professionals and suggested that 'If there is clear thinking going on in the department, it has so far escaped the chairman of the education select committee.'
Musicians warn EBacc will 'emasculate' school music
23 September 2012
Julian Lloyd-Webber, The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) - the professional body for musicians in the UK - and many music organisations, have come out in force to criticise the EBacc which omits creative and cultural subjects altogether.
Deborah Annetts, who is Chief Executive of the ISM, and Chair of the Music Education Council, said: ‘These proposals represent a missed opportunity to reform our education system. If the EBacc goes ahead unchanged, the UK risks losing its competitive edge in the fields in which we are world class. It is as if the Olympics never happened. Design – gone, technology – gone, music – gone.'
23 September 2012
Julian Lloyd-Webber, The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) - the professional body for musicians in the UK - and many music organisations, have come out in force to criticise the EBacc which omits creative and cultural subjects altogether.
Deborah Annetts, who is Chief Executive of the ISM, and Chair of the Music Education Council, said: ‘These proposals represent a missed opportunity to reform our education system. If the EBacc goes ahead unchanged, the UK risks losing its competitive edge in the fields in which we are world class. It is as if the Olympics never happened. Design – gone, technology – gone, music – gone.'
Former singing champion Howard Goodall criticises EBacc
18 September 212
Howard Goodall, the former singing champion, has raised concerns about the future of music in secondary schools following the recent decision by the Education Secretary to maintain the narrow list of options.
In his Blog he said: 'Surely what the Olympics and Paralympics have so beautifully demonstrated is that allowing young people to diversify and specialise, not make them fit a rigid norm, is what allows them to flourish.'
18 September 212
Howard Goodall, the former singing champion, has raised concerns about the future of music in secondary schools following the recent decision by the Education Secretary to maintain the narrow list of options.
In his Blog he said: 'Surely what the Olympics and Paralympics have so beautifully demonstrated is that allowing young people to diversify and specialise, not make them fit a rigid norm, is what allows them to flourish.'
