Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students took (a) music, (b) art, (c) drama and (d) dance GCSE in each region of England in each of the last three academic years for which figures are available.

The number of pupils in state-funded schools, at the end of key stage 4[1], who entered[2] music, art, drama or dance at GCSE level (including equivalents)[3] by region are attached.

[1] Pupils are identified as being at the end of key stage 4 if they were on roll at the school and in year 11 at the time of the January school census for that year. Age is calculated as at 31 August for that year, and the majority of pupils at the end of key stage 4 were age 15 at the start of the academic year. Some pupils may complete this key stage in an earlier or later year group.

[2] In line with secondary performance measures and early entry policy, discounting has been applied. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-4-qualifications-discount-codes-and-point-scores.

[3] Includes GCSE full courses, level 2 equivalents, GCSE double awards and AS levels.