EBacc target pushed back five years

Education secretary Justine Greening has announced that the government’s plans to have 90 per cent of pupils studying all EBacc subjects by 2020 has been pushed back.

Originally the government wanted nine in 10 pupils to be studying English, maths, science, a language and either history of Geography in the next three years.

This sparked concerns that creative subjects like music and drama would be pushed out of the curriculum.

However, in response to a consultation on EBacc, Greening has stated that schools will need to meet a 75 per cent target by 2022 and 90 per cent now by 2025.

School Standards minister Nick Gibb said: "Pupils, whatever their background, have the right to study a core academic curriculum that provides them with the knowledge and skills for a variety of careers beyond the age of 16.

"As we look increasingly outwards as a country, this is more important than ever, and the EBacc ambition will ensure our pupils are able to compete with educational high performers in a global economy.

"Alongside the EBacc, the arts are a crucial part of a broad and balanced curriculum and it is great to see that the best schools ensure young people have the option to study both academic and creative subjects."