What is the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)?
The EBacc is not a qualification in its own right, but is a combination of GCSE subjects, including a language, that offers an important range of knowledge and skills to young people. The EBacc is seen as the ‘gold standard’ curriculum which looks to future proof the prospects of students, giving access to a full range of employment options and a broad knowledge that employers are looking for.
The EBacc is made up of the subjects which are considered essential to many degrees and is also recommended by Britain’s most prestigious universities. A study by the University College London’s Institute of Education shows that studying subjects in the EBacc provides students with greater opportunities in further education. The Sutton Trust’s research reveals that studying the EBacc can help improve students performance in English and Maths.
A student achieves the EBacc if they have gained a GCSE grade 5 or above in:
- English Language and English Literature
- Maths
- Combined Science, or two of the three subjects which make up Triple Science
- Geography or History
- A Language (students will study Italian at Ken Stimpson)
Therefore, students must ensure they select Italian and Geography or Italian and History for their options if they want to work towards achieving the EBacc.