Background

was 270,000 but has fluctuated between a high of 305 000 in 1988 to a low of 227 832 in 2004. There has been a steady and significant fall since 1996 when numbers reached 302 298. Similar patterns have occurred at A-level where numbers have fallen from a high of 46 680 in 1992 to a low in 2004 of 34 215. Overall the pattern therefore is that while geography remains one of the most popular subjects at both GCSE and A-level, indeed amongst the top non-core subjects, there has been a steady decline in the numbers opting for it over time. So why aren’t students selecting geography? There is only limited research evidence but this review • analyses patterns of entry and • considers possible reasons for the changes. CHANGES IN ENTRY PATTERNS 1) Patterns of entry at GCSE for all subjects • Entries for GCSE have steadily increased • Entries were slightly higher for girls than boys in 2004 (51%-49%) • Students generally take more subjects now than they did in 1984 • The average number of GCSEs varies in different schools (most are within the range 8.5 and 9.5 per pupil) • The core (English, Mathematics, Science, Design-Technology) has seen a steady increase in numbers. • Other subjects that have gained are Business Studies, Drama, Media/Film/TV studies, Music, PE, Religious Studies and GNVQs. • IT has increased substantially. Until 2002 this was mostly through GCSE. Since then the increase has been in GNVQ ICT. • Geography and history have declined overall since 1984, although the variations (both up and down) have been greater for geography • History has increased slightly in the last three years. • Gender differences were more pronounced in the 1980s but still occur now. Girls opt for arts and humanities while boys opt for sciences and technology