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EBacc petition

Sign the EBacc petition now! www.ebaccpetition.org.uk

The NUT, and thousands of supporters, are calling on the Government to rethink its plans for the introduction of the English baccalaureate.

The NUT is hugely concerned about the rushed and piecemeal way in which the Government is trying to replace GCSEs with English baccalaureate certificates (EBCs). And we’re not the only ones. In December we launched a petition, jointly with the NAHT, Musicians’ Union and Equity, calling for Michael Gove’s consultation on the changes to be extended and broadened, to give us an exam system that recognises the talents and skills of all pupils and ensures a broad and balanced curriculum.

In its first week the petition drew 15,000 signatures and many high profile supporters. The NUS, ATL, UCU and RADA are among the organisations backing our calls. Sir David Hare, Julie Walters, Michael Rosen and Ken Loach are just some of the figures from the arts world who provided supporting statements for our formal response to the Government’s review of Key Stage 4 examination reform, while Stephen Fry tweeted about our petition to his 5 million Twitter followers.

An NUT survey last term showed the extent of members’ opposition to the Government’s proposals. We found:

• 96 per cent want wider consultation on a replacement for GCSEs.

• 93 per cent think a secondary qualification should recognise vocational as well as academic success.

• 71 per cent believe EBCs would narrow the curriculum.

Under the Government’s plans, teaching for the EBCs in English, maths and science are scheduled to begin in 2015. There are no start dates for the others. Students who don’t pass will get a ‘record of achievement’, creating a two-tier system.

Most respondents to the NUT survey felt the range of subjects was too narrow, and the requirements of learners with special educational needs (SEN) or English as an additional language had been overlooked.

Under current plans, there will be no assessment other than a three-hour end- of-course exam for most subjects. Many respondents felt this would disadvantage pupils with SEN and health issues, as well as those who perform better in coursework than in exam conditions.

The NUT and its supporters believe that, by ignoring creative and vocational subjects, the EBCs will leave many pupils excluded and damage the economic and cultural health of our nation.

While accepting that the Government can review the exam system, any review needs sufficient time and scope to incorporate the views of parents, students, governors, businesses, teachers, head teachers and other stakeholders before changes are made.

If you agree, please sign our petition at www.ebaccpetition.org.uk

What we want

• Clear proposals to secure the status of subjects such as art, music, design and vocational education at all levels of the curriculum to age 18.

• A chance to consider the outcomes of the forthcoming reviews of secondary school accountability and the secondary national curriculum before deciding the final design of qualifications.

• Discussion of how children of all abilities will gain accreditation for their achievements in a new system.

Our children deserve better than the Government’s current proposals. Support our campaign for a broader consultation. Sign the petition at www.ebaccpetition.org.uk  And follow the latest news at www.teachers.org.uk/campaign/ebacc.