The EBacc

THE ENGLISH BACCALAUREATE (EBACC)

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was introduced as a performance measure in the 2010 school performance tables. It is important to note that it is not a separate qualification. The measure recognises where students have achieved a grade 5 or better at GCSE in English, Mathematics, two Sciences, Geography or History and a modern or ancient language. From 2014 Computer Science has also been included as one of the Science options in the English Baccalaureate performance measure. One of the most common questions asked by parents when thinking about the EBacc set of qualifications is ‘Why should my child study the EBacc?’.

The EBacc consists of different 'facilitating subjects'; these are subject which help to 'open doors' later in life, helping you to have a breadth of experiences, regardless of your next destination. The main and perhaps most significant advantage for students is that it provides a broad set of academic qualifications which will ensure progression opportunities when students make their post 16 and university choices. In particular they provide excellent progression to what are known as the facilitating subjects (see list below). These are subjects set out by the Russell Group of Universities*, whereby it is said that these are the subjects that are required more often than others at the UK’s leading universities. As you can see they are closely linked with those subjects in the EBacc suite of qualifications.

A further advantage often presented, is that students in many countries must take maths, science and a language, whereby having this broad set of qualifications will enable students to compete more effectively in today's society.