Levelling Up

Levelling Up the EBacc

A panel debate on the EBacc organised by AQi, the assessment and qualifications insight hub

Date02/02/22

AuthorJames Lloyd, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, AQA

The government’s ambition is to see 75% of pupils studying an EBacc subject combination at GCSE by 2022, and 90% by 2025.

This target reflects a belief that young people should be encouraged to take traditional, academic subjects in order to fulfil their potential and increase social mobility.

Critics have long challenged the choice of subjects in the EBacc, in particular, the exclusion of all arts subjects.

However, the government’s levelling up agenda and debate on young people’s employability has led to renewed questions about whether the EBacc is right for all students and the best way to use choices about the curriculum to improve social mobility.

This event, scheduled for Wednesday 2nd March 15:30-17:00, will explore:

Is social mobility optimised by directing students to the EBacc or allowing for a greater diversity of subjects at Key Stage 4?
To what extent does the EBacc help or hinder those students who progress on to non-academic pathways post-16? Which students are the winners and losers from the EBacc target?
Should the choice of subjects in the EBacc be reviewed?

Speakers at this event will include:

Jake Anders, Associate Professor of Quantitative Social Science, UCL Institute of Education
Julie McCulloch, Director of Policy, ASCL
Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager, Association of Colleges
James Lloyd, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, AQA
Other speakers to be seen.

This event is free and open to all, but places are limited.

If you would like to attend, you can register here.

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Levelling Up the EBacc

What can this year’s GCSE entries tell us to look for in tomorrow’s results?

A-level maths students hit six figures – what’s behind its popularity?

What comes after ‘urgent’ for the new Education Secretary?

Labour’s oracy plans: They need clear goals

Through the looking glass: How polling the public can help policymakers learn about themselves

Assessing oracy: Is Comparative Judgement the answer?

TV subtitles as an aid to literacy: What does the research say?

What is left behind now education’s Data Wave has receded?

Finland & PISA – A fall from grace but still a high performer?

PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS: What actually are they and what do they tell us?

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