Education: English Baccalaureate Certificate

Lord Broers Excerpts

Thursday 24th January 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wheatcroft]

My Lords—

[Lord Broers]

My Lords—

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Hill of Oareford)]

I think it is the Conservatives’ turn this time.

[Lord Nash]

This is something we have considered and will consider further. The core EBacc subjects are set but we will be announcing our views shortly on the assessment method for what other subjects should be taken into account.

[Lord Broers]

My Lords, I come at this from a slightly different angle. Can the Minister assure us that those students who go on to A-levels are no longer in effect forced to specialise either on the arts and humanities or on maths and the sciences, and that they will be required to carry a broader curriculum through their schooling?

[Lord Nash]

There is no requirement for that in this country but we are keen that all children have a broad curriculum through to 16, and that those who have not managed to make the C grade in English and maths who are going on to further education continue with their English and maths.