Major curriculum reforms are starting to affect the educational choices and outcomes of secondary school pupils.

This is according to new research that analysed the impact of the EBacc measure for GCSE students.

The Sutton Trust’s report Changing the Subject says that headteachers are finding that delivering the EBacc to the government target of 90% of pupils is beyond the reach of many schools given specialist teacher shortages and that the EBacc is not appropriate for all students.

The report warns that setting the EBacc as the ‘gold standard’ for the secondary school curriculum risks deprioritising the educational experiences of those students for whom it isn’t appropriate.

The Sutton Trust believes that thousands of disadvantaged pupils miss out on taking particular subjects at GCSE such as modern languages, history and geography, which limits access to the EBacc curriculum.

The report recommends that:

• All pupils should have fair access to EBacc subjects, particularly those eligible for the pupil premium
• The Government should reconsider its intention that 90% of pupils should be entered for EBacc subjects
• The Government should consider what type of Key Stage 4 curriculum is appropriate for those not entering the EBacc and do more to facilitate a Technical Baccalaureate option.