Fantastic news for arts courses in changes to GCSEs

10 Apr 2014 12:30 PM

We are delighted to welcome the statement by the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, that arts subjects will be included in the first round of reformed GCSEs to be taught in schools in two years’ time. 

In a written statement to the House of Commons on 9 April, it was announced that new curricula for art & design, dance, drama and music GCSEs will be developed ready to be taught in schools from September 2016. These subjects will now be considered alongside the sciences, geography, history and languages in the secondary school accountability system.

Our Chief Executive, Alan Davey, describes this news as ‘a moment of quiet satisfaction’, whilst highlighting that there is still much work to be done to make sure that the value of arts subjects is recognised within the curriculum.

Alan said:
‘The inclusion of the arts subjects in this first round of reformed GCSEs is a clear indication that the Department for Education views the arts subjects as absolutely on a par with the core subjects in maths, science, languages and the humanities, as part of a broad and balanced education. 

‘This is the culmination of many months’ hard work from colleagues in the Arts Council and the wider arts sector, who have been pressing the case for the importance of the arts in education. We are delighted to welcome this announcement and look forward to working with the Department for Education on the development of the new qualifications.’

Read Alan’s blog via The Guardian