Ofqual publish GCSE and A Level entry numbers for 2018
08 June 2018
Arts GCSE entries continue to fall:
-9% decline in arts GCSE entries 2017 to 2018
-34% decline in arts GCSE entries since 2010
Qfqual has published data on the number of students entered for GCSEs and A Levels in England this summer. The figures anticipate the exam entry numbers which the Joint Council for Qualifications will publish in August.
Ofqual numbers are always slightly higher than the final number of qualifications sat since students can be entered for an exam but then, for a variety of reasons, may not sit the exam. We anticipate, as in past years, that the final entry numbers reported in August will be lower than the Ofqual numbers here.
In this post we look at entries to Art & Design, Design & Technology, Drama, Media/Film/TV studies, Music and Performing/Expressive Arts. Dance GCSE entries are included within PE entries by Ofqual so we are unable to report them until AQA, the awarding body for Dance GCSE, publishes the figures in August.
The number of England only entries are:
|
JCQ numbers |
Ofqual |
|
% change |
||
|
2010 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
2010 to 2018 |
2017 to 2018 |
Art and Design subjects |
172504 |
162,348 |
168,765 |
|
-2% |
4% |
Design and Technology |
270401 |
153,929 |
117,605 |
|
-57% |
-24% |
Drama |
81592 |
61703 |
58,595 |
|
-28% |
-5% |
Media/Film/TV Studies |
63808 |
44865 |
41,925 |
|
-34% |
-7% |
Music |
46045 |
38,376 |
35,895 |
|
-22% |
-6% |
Performing/expressive arts |
23505 |
14704 |
8,795 |
|
-63% |
-40% |
Total |
657855 |
475925 |
431,580 |
|
-34% |
-9% |
In contrast, entries to History GCSE have risen +4% 2017 to 2018 and +23% since 2010. Similarly, Geography GCSE entries rose by +6% in 2017 to 2018, and +40% since 2010. History and Geography are included in the English Baccalaureate and Progress 8 performance measures.
Art & Design
Art & Design subject entries are broadly stable compared to 2017, although there has been a decline of -2% since 2010. However, as the Education Policy Institute report in to Key Stage 4 entries showed, Art & Design GCSE entries have been buoyed by schools switching students to the GCSE away from the BTEC. This means that overall, students in schools are doing fewer Art & Design qualifications.
A Level entries
A Level entries show a similar pattern to GCSE, with the greatest decline (D&T and Performing/Expressive Arts) the same as at GCSE level: to progress to A Level you need to have studied the subject at GCSE or Key Stage 4.
|
JCQ figures |
Ofqual figures |
% change |
||
|
2010 |
2017 |
2018 |
2010 to 2018 |
2017 to 2018 |
Art and Design subjects |
42577 |
40470 |
40300 |
-5% |
0% |
Design and Technology |
16519 |
10657 |
9,780 |
-41% |
-8% |
Drama |
15144 |
10751 |
10,260 |
-32% |
-5% |
Media/Film/TV studies |
31032 |
24450 |
23,175 |
-25% |
-5% |
Music |
8790 |
5610 |
5,485 |
-38% |
-2% |
Performing/expressive arts |
3666 |
1744 |
1310 |
-64% |
-25% |
total |
117728 |
93682 |
90310 |
-23% |
-4% |
Results analysis in August
We will publish the full GCSE and A Level arts entries results in August. To get first sight of the numbers do make sure you are a Cultural Learning Alliance member (it is free to join!), and are signed up to our newsletter.