Arts GCSE entries decline in England
25 August 2016
As we had feared there has been a significant decline in the number of Arts GCSE entries in England in 2016. Entries are down 21% since 2010 and down 8% since 2015. This is the largest year on year decline for over a decade.
Between 2010 to 2016 in England there was a decline of 21%[1] in the number of arts GCSE entries (Art and Design, Dance, Design and Technology, Drama, Media/Film/TV Studies, Music and Performing/expressive arts) from from 673,739 in 2010 to 533,329 in 2016.
Between 2015 and 2016 there was a decline of 8% in arts GCSE entries from 578,326 to 533,329. The largest year on year decline for over a decade.
|
England only results |
2010 |
2015 |
2016 |
% change 2010 to 2016 |
% change 2015 to 2016 |
|
|
Art and Design subjects |
172504 |
181117 |
170114 |
-1% |
-6% |
|
|
Dance |
15884 |
11865 |
10762 |
-32% |
-9% |
|
|
Design and Technology |
270401 |
192183 |
173532 |
-36% |
-10% |
|
|
Drama |
81592 |
71435 |
68171 |
-16% |
-5% |
|
|
Media/Film/TV Studies |
63808 |
58496 |
51209 |
-20% |
-12% |
|
|
Music |
46045 |
43667 |
41865 |
-9% |
-4% |
|
|
Performing/expressive arts |
23505 |
19563 |
17676 |
-25% |
-10% |
|
|
Total |
673739 |
578326 |
533329 |
-21% |
-8% |
The number of pupils in year 11 (the year most students take GCSEs) fluctuates each year. In 2010 it was 565,660 in 2015 544,013 and in 2016 it was 530,448[2]. A fall of 6% in pupil numbers since 2010 and 2% between 2015 and 2016.
GCSE entries in Arts subjects 2010 to 2016
|
England only |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Art and Design subjects |
172504 |
167980 |
163818 |
167894 |
177206 |
181117 |
170114 |
|
Dance |
15884 |
13443 |
12592 |
11856 |
12200 |
11865 |
10762 |
|
Design and Technology |
270401 |
238483 |
226656 |
206044 |
200133 |
192183 |
173532 |
|
Drama |
81592 |
75336 |
71460 |
70402 |
71399 |
71435 |
68171 |
|
Media/Film/TV Studies |
63808 |
62915 |
57451 |
55005 |
59536 |
58496 |
51209 |
|
Music |
46045 |
43127 |
41511 |
41580 |
42668 |
43667 |
41865 |
|
Performing/expressive arts |
23505 |
21211 |
19901 |
19188 |
19607 |
19563 |
17676 |
|
Total |
673739 |
622495 |
593389 |
571969 |
582749 |
578326 |
533329 |
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[1] Student cohort numbers are from the Department for Education Schools, pupils and their characteristics statistical releases.
[2] GCSE entry numbers are from the Joint Council for qualifications annual results tables.
Dance GCSE numbers are from AQA Results Statistics.