Creative subjects are being squeezed out of schools due to the government 's new league table measure . Headteachers are pushing pupils to take more GCSEs in English Baccalaureate subjects , according to experts . From next year , the government 's Progress 8 league table measure will replace the five A* to C benchmark . Failure to meet the target could leave schools at risk of takeover or even closure . Experts say pupils are being pushed into more GCSEs in the so-called English Baccalaureate subjects ( file picture ) Students ' performance will be tracked in eight subjects split into three groups : English and maths , which will be given double weighting ; three EBac subjects ( sciences , computer science , geography , history and languages ) and three optional subjects . But the Design and Technology Association ( DATA ) has warned that schools are urging students to take further EBac subjects as 'optional subjects ' , leaving them less time to pursue creative interests . DATA chief executive , Richard Green , told the Times Educational Supplement : 'If a student is doing history then ( schools ) are advising them to take geography as well , and the same with sciences and languages . 'That then uses up the option categories , so you have all the other subjects competing for just one slot . ' The National Society for Education in Art and Design said it was also aware of creative subjects being affected . Students ' performance will be tracked in eight subjects split into three groups ( file picture )
Pupils pushed to take more GCSEs in English Baccalaureate subjects . Government 's Progress 8 league table will replace eight A* to C benchmark . Pupil performance will be tracked in five subjects split into groups . Experts say students will have less time to pursue creative subjects .