Parents' Poll on MBacc Proposals August 2023
Parents’ poll on proposals for the MBacc
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Parents’ poll on the proposals for the MBacc – August 2023
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GMCA commissioned BMG research to carry out an online
poll with residents from across the city-region.
Fieldwork took place between 20
th
July – 1
st
August 2023.
Data has been weighted to be representative of parents
across Greater Manchester using information from the 2021
Census and the Greater Manchester Residents’ Survey.
BMG interviewed a total of 975 parents across Greater
Manchester. To take part in the survey, respondents needed to
have at least one child of school age. Respondents included -
In summary
Parents’ poll on the proposals for the MBacc – August 2023
There is a sense amongst respondents that current provision leans towards more emphasis on academic
subjects when advising children in year 9 about their future. Respondents support a more equal approach
– making technical education as valued as academic education.
There is more awareness of A-levels and apprenticeships, than other qualifications or routes for young
people. Even those that are familiar with more technical courses, many wouldn’t know how to access
them.
Awareness of the Mbacc is higher in Manchester than other Districts (but still relatively low). Overall the
support is higher – especially from those parents who have children either at or approaching the age
where they start to make educational decisions.
Attitudes towards school curriculum
Parents’ poll on the proposals for the MBacc – August 2023
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Parents with children in years 12 and 13 are
even more likely to say that there is increased
focus on academic subjects, suggesting recent
and real-life experience (39% instead of 30%)
If the significant portion of ‘don’t knows’ are
removed from the sample, then the 30% of
respondents who say there is more focus on
academic subjects, rises to 54% (from 32%)
and the % of respondents who think there
should be an equal focus rises to 66% (from
44%)
Attitudes towards school curriculum
Parents’ poll on the proposals for the MBacc – August 2023
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Almost 2 in 5 (37%) think they should have an influence, however over 2
in 4 (27%) think only schools should decide, and 35% didn’t feel able to
provide an opinion.
Those who believe that there should be more focus on technical subjects
within schools are more likely to see a role for businesses in deciding the
curriculum (60%).
This is also the case from
respondents who are from skilled manual
backgrounds (C2) (51%). Conversely, those from a hi
gher
and
intermediate managerial, administrative, professional background
(AB)
background are less likely to agree with this (30%).
Awareness of 16+ options
Parents’ poll on the proposals for the MBacc – August 2023
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Awareness is lower for Higher technical qualifications
(33%), T-levels (24%), and the English
Baccalaureate/EBacc (18%).
Awareness of 16+ options is generally higher amongst
parents from higher socio-economic backgrounds and
educational levels.
Awareness of 16+ options
Parents’ poll on the proposals for the MBacc – August 2023
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Familiarity with the steps required for university is much
higher for those from higher socio-economic backgrounds
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There is less of a notable difference between socio-
economic grades in the awareness of the steps required to
go into employment with training.
Whilst people said they were familiar with some of the
options for young people, they weren’t aware of the steps
required to access them.
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Awareness of the Greater Manchester
Baccalaureate (MBacc)
Parents’ poll on the proposals for the MBacc – August 2023
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Familiarity with it is highest in Manchester (23%)
Those without a university education are significantly more
likely to be aware of the MBacc (24%) than those with a
bachelors degree or higher (13%), but there is a mix of
awareness across social grades -
C2 - S
killed manual occupations - 8%
DE- S
emi-skilled & unskilled manual occupations,
unemployed and lowest grade occupations -
13%
AB - H
igher
and
intermediate managerial,
administrative, professional occupations -
17%
Support for the
Greater Manchester
Baccalaureate (MBacc)
Parents’ poll on the proposals for the MBacc – August 2023
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To be noted: 22% of the respondents responded with ‘don’t know’ and 14% said that they
neither support or oppose.
If these respondents are removed, then the overall support would be significant from
those that responded with either support or oppose
Support is marginally higher amongst those parents with children
currently in school years 7-11 (64%), whose children are most
likely to be choosing their options currently or in the next few
years.
Likewise, those who believe there should be more focus on
vocational subjects in schools, or an equal focus with academic
subjects are much more supportive of the MBacc (79% and 74%
respectively).
GMCA commissioned BMG research to conduct an online poll with parents in Greater Manchester regarding the MBacc proposals for August 2023. Respondents expressed a desire for a more balanced approach between academic and technical education, emphasizing the need for equal value in both pathways. The poll also highlighted a higher awareness of A-levels and apprenticeships compared to other qualifications, indicating a gap in knowledge on technical courses. Parents with children in Year 9 felt that the current school curriculum puts more emphasis on academic subjects, calling for a more equitable focus on both academic and technical fields.
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Presentation Transcript
Parents poll on proposals for the MBacc August 2023
GMCA commissioned BMG research to carry out an online poll with residents from across the city-region. Fieldwork took place between 20th July 1st August 2023. Data has been weighted to be representative of parents across Greater Manchester using information from the 2021 Census and the Greater Manchester Residents Survey. Methodology and approach BMG interviewed a total of 975 parents across Greater Manchester. To take part in the survey, respondents needed to have at least one child of school age. Respondents included - Educational stage Percentage with a child in this stage Pre-school age child/children Primary school-age child/children, years 1-6 High school-age child/children, years 7-11 High school-age child/children, years 12-13 27% 45% 35% 21% Parents poll on the proposals for the MBacc August 2023
In summary There is a sense amongst respondents that current provision leans towards more emphasis on academic subjects when advising children in year 9 about their future. Respondents support a more equal approach making technical education as valued as academic education. There is more awareness of A-levels and apprenticeships, than other qualifications or routes for young people. Even those that are familiar with more technical courses, many wouldn t know how to access them. Awareness of the Mbacc is higher in Manchester than other Districts (but still relatively low). Overall the support is higher especially from those parents who have children either at or approaching the age where they start to make educational decisions. Parents poll on the proposals for the MBacc August 2023
Attitudes towards school curriculum Q. Please consider the point in Year 9 that your child/children are choosing their future subjects, do you think schools...? More emphasis is currently placed on academic subjects, but respondents feel that this shouldn t be the case and instead a more balanced approach across academic and technical should be taken. 50% 44% 45% 41% 40% 33% 35% 32% 30% Parents with children in years 12 and 13 are even more likely to say that there is increased focus on academic subjects, suggesting recent and real-life experience (39% instead of 30%) 25% 20% 20% 14% 15% 9% 10% 7% If the significant portion of don t knows are removed from the sample, then the 30% of respondents who say there is more focus on academic subjects, rises to 54% (from 32%) and the % of respondents who think there should be an equal focus rises to 66% (from 44%) 5% 0% more focus on academic subjects (such as maths, science, and language) more focus on technical subjects (such as construction, engineering, arts, and creative) an equal focus on academic and technical subjects Don't know Currently place Should place Parents poll on the proposals for the MBacc August 2023
Attitudes towards school curriculum Parents are fairly evenly split on whether businesses should have a role in influencing the subjects taught at local schools. Q. Which of the below statements comes closer to your view? Local businesses should have an influence on the subjects taught at schools, to help young people get the jobs that the local area needs Almost 2 in 5 (37%) think they should have an influence, however over 2 in 4 (27%) think only schools should decide, and 35% didn t feel able to provide an opinion. Only schools should decide which subjects they teach in line with the national curriculum Those who believe that there should be more focus on technical subjects within schools are more likely to see a role for businesses in deciding the curriculum (60%). This is also the case from respondents who are from skilled manual backgrounds (C2) (51%). Conversely, those from a higher and intermediate managerial, administrative, professional background (AB) background are less likely to agree with this (30%). 35% 38% 27% Parents poll on the proposals for the MBacc August 2023
Awareness of 16+ options Parents are most likely to be aware of A-levels (76%) as a 16+ option for their children, though more than 3 in 5 are aware of apprenticeships (69%) and BTECS (61%). Q. Which qualifications are you aware of as options for your child/children after year 11? Please select all that apply. None of the above 11% Other 8% Awareness is lower for Higher technical qualifications (33%), T-levels (24%), and the English Baccalaureate/EBacc (18%). English Baccalaureate (EBacc) 18% T-levels 24% Awareness of 16+ options is generally higher amongst parents from higher socio-economic backgrounds and educational levels. Higher Technical qualifications 33% Vocational (practical courses) 45% BTECS 61% Apprenticeships 69% A-levels 76% Parents poll on the proposals for the MBacc August 2023
Awareness of 16+ options Whilst people said they were familiar with some of the options for young people, they weren t aware of the steps required to access them. Two-thirds (66%) of parents say they are familiar with the steps required for their child to attend university. Familiarity with the steps required for university is much higher for those from higher socio-economic backgrounds This shows significant disparity between the awareness of choices available to young people and the steps required for them to progress with different options. Future option Almost 3 in 5 (57%) saying they are aware of the steps that their child would need to make to get into employment with training at 16 years old. There is less of a notable difference between socio- economic grades in the awareness of the steps required to go into employment with training. Percentage familiar with the steps required for a child to do this 86% A-levels (amongst the 76% of those aware of A-levels only) Higher Technical qualifications (amongst the 33% of those aware of Higher Technical qualifications only) T-levels (amongst the 24% of those aware of T-levels only) 57% 47% Parents poll on the proposals for the MBacc August 2023
Awareness of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) Q. In Greater Manchester there is a proposal to introduce the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (or MBacc). This is designed to provide children aged 14-16 an education option that focuses on technical subjects such as engineering, construction, or digital Awareness of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate is low, with only 15% of those in Greater Manchester familiar with it. Familiarity with it is highest in Manchester (23%) 70% 60% 50% Those without a university education are significantly more likely to be aware of the MBacc (24%) than those with a bachelors degree or higher (13%), but there is a mix of awareness across social grades - C2 - Skilled manual occupations - 8% DE- Semi-skilled & unskilled manual occupations, unemployed and lowest grade occupations - 13% AB - Higher and intermediate managerial, administrative, professional occupations - 17% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Somewhat familiar 11% Not at all familiar 64% Very familiar Not that familiar Percentage 4% 21% Parents poll on the proposals for the MBacc August 2023
Support for the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) Regardless of prior awareness, support for the MBacc is high, with 3 in 5 (59%) supportive of it, while just 4% oppose it. Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the proposal to develop the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), which aims to provide a route into further technical education as an alternative to university? To be noted: 22% of the respondents responded with don t know and 14% said that they neither support or oppose. If these respondents are removed, then the overall support would be significant from those that responded with either support or oppose Strongly support Somewhat support 22% Support is marginally higher amongst those parents with children currently in school years 7-11 (64%), whose children are most likely to be choosing their options currently or in the next few years. 33% Neither support nor oppose Somewhat oppose 1% 3% 14% Strongly oppose Likewise, those who believe there should be more focus on vocational subjects in schools, or an equal focus with academic subjects are much more supportive of the MBacc (79% and 74% respectively). 27% Don't know Parents poll on the proposals for the MBacc August 2023
