GCSE results announced today see a continuing free fall in arts subject entries
24 August 2017
-9% drop in arts GCSE entries 2016 to 2017
-28% drop in arts GCSE entries 2010 to 2017
The continuing free fall in arts GCSE entry numbers was confirmed today with the publication by the Joint Council of Qualifications of the 2017 GCSE figures.
In 2015-2016 there was a decline of -8% in arts GCSE entries. This year’s figures continue the trend with a further drop of -9%. Since 2010 there has been a fall of -28% in arts GCSEs.
Cohort changes
In 2015 to 2016 we also saw a drop of 8% in entries, while the cohort* declined by -2%. This year’s decline is set against another decline of -2% in the cohort. Since 2010 the cohort has fallen by -9%.
GCSE entries (England only)
|
|
2010 |
2016 |
2017*** |
|
Art and Design subjects |
172,504 |
170,114 |
162,348 |
|
Dance** |
15,884 |
10,762 |
9,401 |
|
Design and Technology |
270,401 |
172,728 |
153,929 |
|
Drama |
81,592 |
68,171 |
61,703 |
|
Media/Film/TV Studies |
63,808 |
51,209 |
44,865 |
|
Music |
46,045 |
41,865 |
38,376 |
|
Performing/expressive arts |
23,505 |
17,676 |
14,704 |
|
Total |
673,739 |
532,525 |
485,326 |
Percentage change in GCSE entries (England only)
|
% change 2010 to 2017 |
% change 2016 to 2017*** |
|
|
Art and Design subjects |
-6% |
-5% |
|
Dance** |
-41% |
-13% |
|
Design and Technology |
-43% |
-11% |
|
Drama |
-24% |
-9% |
|
Media/Film/TV Studies |
-30% |
-12% |
|
Music |
-17% |
-8% |
|
Performing/expressive arts |
-37% |
-17% |
|
Total |
-28% |
-9% |
*All children in year 11 in state schools and all children turning 16 during the school year in independent schools. Cohort numbers are taken from the Department for Education Schools, Pupils and their characteristics statistics.
**Dance GCSE numbers are from AQA and are for all of the UK. JCQ only reports Dance GCSE numbers within the PE results.
***JCQ results published this year also include 2016 numbers for comparison. The 2016 results included in the 2017 tables vary slightly from those published in the 2016 tables, eg the 2016 Art and Design GCSE entries were reported as 170,114 in the 2016 table and as 168,941 in the 2017 table. We have contacted JCQ to ask why there is this difference.
GCSE entry numbers are from the Joint Council for Qualifications annual results tables.