Education report proposes EBacc replacement to broaden post-16 options

Following a year-long investigation into the education system, a report published on 15 June states that ‘sport, music, art, debating and dance should be an integral part of the timetable for all children, not an optional “extracurricular” add on.’ 

The central recommendation is the mainstream introduction of a British Baccalaureate to replace A Levels, including both academic and vocational routes, or a combination of the two. This would incorporate the arts, with an aim to introduce ‘greater breadth and flexibility to the post-16 curriculum.’

This qualification would be adapted from the International Baccalaureate - an alternative to A Levels offered mainly to private schools. It is suggested that this could be adopted in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.