GCSE Music entries rise in 2024

An analysis of GCSE exam results published today by the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) shows that, despite an 8.7% rise in GCSE music entries in the past year across the UK, numbers remain low for the subject.

Although the rise in entries is promising, it translates to a rise of just 0.2 per cent of music entries as a percentage of the Year 11 cohort in England and figures remain low across the UK following the 12% decrease in music entries between 2022 and 2023.

ISM chief executive Deborah Annetts said: ‘Music is still at a worryingly low ebb in schools after years of decline. The ISM has long fought Tory education policies that cut access to arts subjects in state schools. We believe that every child has the right to a high-quality music education and it must not be limited to the privileged few. Now is the time to make change happen and we are greatly encouraged by Labour’s ambition to grow creative education.’

Since the EBacc was introduced in 2010, GCSE music entries in England have fallen by 30 per cent and entries in arts subjects have collectively fallen across the UK by almost 40 per cent. The House of Lords’ Education for 11-16 year olds committee report in 2023 found that the EBacc and Progress 8 accountability measures introduced by the previous Conservative government have had a damaging impact on arts subjects in English state schools. The ISM hopes to see ‘swift action’ on the new Labour government’s pledge to change this approach.