Angry headteachers and the English bac

Some estimates put the number of English and Welsh schoolchildren taking GCSE history at fewer than 25 per cent. There has been a similar decline in the numbers of children taking other so called ‘hard’ subjects such as the separate sciences and modern and classical languages. The reason is that, by offering sloppy subjects and pretending they are the equal of serious academic subjects, headteachers could establish a decent standing for their school in the league tables and keep politicians happy. The publication of the English ‘bacs’ will put an end to this fantasy and make all too apparent the parlous state of schooling in England and Wales. No wonder so many headteachers are up in arms; they have been found out (see Warwick Mansell's report in the Guardian).