Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Multi-disciplinary Subjects 2023-10-23

2023-10-23

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Michael Fabricant
▸ Context
The MP is concerned about the narrow curriculum choices made by students at age 16 in comparison to American universities, which do not require early specialization.
Whether her Department is taking steps to increase the number of multi-disciplinary subjects taught to students before university. I was a student and a bit of a surfer dude at the University of Southern California, where Americans do not have to choose between arts and sciences when they go to university. Will the initiative announced by the Secretary of State in Manchester mean that British students will not have to make this early choice?
Nick Gibb
I share my hon. Friend's view about the importance of a broad curriculum, which is why the English Baccalaureate combination of core GCSEs is so important. The proportion of pupils entered for the EBacc has increased from 22% in 2010 to 39% in 2022. Increasing the number of subjects under the Advanced British Standard means that students will have the benefits of the greater breadth of study he references from his own experience.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to increasing multi-disciplinary subjects before university, but referenced existing initiatives.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Michael Fabricant
▸ Context
The MP is concerned about the narrow curriculum choices made by students at age 16 in comparison to American universities, which do not require early specialization.
Will the initiative announced by the Secretary of State in Manchester mean that British students will not have to make this early choice?
Nick Gibb
Increasing the number of subjects under the Advanced British Standard means that students will have the benefits of the greater breadth of study he references from his own experience. The intention is that majors will have comparable depth and rigour to A-levels so that they can support progression, including to university.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to British students no longer needing to choose between arts and sciences before university, but referenced existing initiatives.
Response accuracy