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A-levels and GCSEs: Traditional exam subjects making comeback A-levels and GCSEs: Traditional exam subjects making comeback
(34 minutes later)
There was a rise this summer in the number of students in England taking GCSEs and A-levels in traditional subjects. There was a rise this summer in the number of students in England taking traditional GCSEs and A-levels, the exams regulator, Ofqual, says.
Figures from the exams regulator, Ofqual, show entries for English, maths and science qualifications increased. Provisional figures show entries for English, maths, science and computing qualifications increased.
Ofqual says the rise is likely to be in response to government targets for more teenagers to study academic subjects.Ofqual says the rise is likely to be in response to government targets for more teenagers to study academic subjects.
However other subjects, such as modern languages and citizenship, saw a decline in exam entries, Ofqual said.However other subjects, such as modern languages and citizenship, saw a decline in exam entries, Ofqual said.
Citizenship saw a drop of 50%, while the number of students taking French, German and Spanish has fallen away more steadily. GCSE citizenship entries fell by 50%, the regulator estimates, while the number of students taking French, German and Spanish has fallen away more steadily.
Targets
The data suggests government performance measures, such as the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) - where pupils have to study English, a language, maths, science and history or geography at GCSE - are having the effect ministers wanted to see.The data suggests government performance measures, such as the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) - where pupils have to study English, a language, maths, science and history or geography at GCSE - are having the effect ministers wanted to see.
The rise in popularity of traditional subjects may also be linked to academically competitive universities urging students to avoid subjects they perceive to be less rigorous.The rise in popularity of traditional subjects may also be linked to academically competitive universities urging students to avoid subjects they perceive to be less rigorous.
In 2011, the Russell Group of universities published guidance advising students to take traditional subjects at A-level. In 2011, the Russell Group of universities published guidance advising students to study traditional subjects at A-level and to take at least two choices from a list of "facilitating subjects" such as English and maths.
It advised students to study at least two choices from a list of "facilitating subjects" such as English and maths. "These [traditional] subjects are seen to be very good currency for university," said Ofqual chief executive Glenys Stacey.
"We know maths is a requirement for some courses and is extremely well regarded and so it's not surprising that students with those sorts of ambitions will focus on them."
The data was released by Ofqual as A-level candidates wait to receive their results on Thursday 13 August and GCSE candidates the following week.
Students in Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their results at the same time as their counterparts in England, while those in Scotland received the results of their National 4s and 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers on Tuesday 4 August.