Baccalaureate should include arts-based learning, says Henley review

To be awarded an EBacc, pupils must gain a grade C or above in GCSE maths, English, science, languages and history or geography.

But in his independent review of cultural education, Darren Henley, managing director of Classic FM, suggested that arts-based learning should be included in the qualification, given that the teaching of such subjects is too "patchy".

The report states: "If we are to create a generation of fully rounded individuals, then the government should consider whether an education in at least one cultural subject (aside from English literature and history) to at least GCSE level should be mandatory.

The review also suggests that all pupils should be made aware of apprenticeships in the arts sector and calls for a "cultural education passport scheme", so that children between the ages of five and 19 can record their cultural activities.

Responding to the review, the Department for Education pledged to invest £15m in cultural learning opportunities for schools over the next three years, including Saturday arts clubs for children.

Meanwhile, a national youth dance company will be set up with Arts Council England, offering 30 places a year to young people. The government has also confirmed plans to invest £3m in developing a film academy, and £2.7m into encouraging pupils to explore heritage sites in their area.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "We must strengthen what is offered in schools. Cultural education must not be a closed shop for poorer pupils. I want to end any suggestion that high culture is only for the privileged few."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said teachers have always believed that the curriculum should allow pupils to visit museums, galleries and theatres within the school day. "The educational benefits of such activities are tremendous," she said.

But she warned that wider government education policy is harming cultural education. "As with music and sport these are subjects that have been severely affected, if not entirely axed, as a direct result of cuts to schools and local authority budgets," she said.

"Cultural education is important for its own sake. Surely no one can believe that studying music is any less rigorous than studying history. It is not a question of rigour but of perception. There needs to be a complete change in attitude to the curriculum for the arts to be recognised as a valuable part of education."