The English Baccalaureate is a new performance measure introduced in the 2010 performance tables. It recognises the success of pupils who attain GCSEs or iGCSEs at grades A*-C across a core of academic subjects - English, mathematics, history or geography, the sciences and a language.
It has been introduced because we are concerned that the number of pupils, especially those in disadvantaged areas, who receive this broad education in core academic subjects, is far too small.
We want to encourage more pupils to take these core academic subjects and bring about greater fairness of opportunity, so that all pupils have the chance to study for the English Baccalaureate.
