The Department for Education has updated its guidance on English Baccalaureate eligible qualifications to clarify that the list remains relevant in some performance table measures, even after EBacc entry and attainment measures were removed in autumn 2025. The guidance applies to England and matters for school performance tables because the qualifications list still determines eligibility in some Progress 8 and Attainment 8 slots.
Key facts
- The guidance is titled English Baccalaureate: eligible qualifications and applies to England.
- It was last updated on 20 October 2026.
- EBacc entry and attainment measures were removed with effect from the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
- The EBacc qualifications list still determines eligibility for some Progress 8 and Attainment 8 slots.
- EBacc in school and college performance tables covers English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography.
What does this mean for students and schools?
For students in England, the change does not end the practical importance of the EBacc qualifications list. Schools still use it when determining which qualifications can count in some Progress 8 and Attainment 8 slots, so subject choices and qualification eligibility remain tied to performance-table rules.
For schools and curriculum planners, the immediate step is to check the updated qualifying list before confirming key stage 4 options. The guidance has been updated multiple times, including on 18 June 2026, 2 May 2025 and 22 April 2025, showing that the list continues to be maintained as part of performance-table guidance.
Why the update matters
The update adds clarity after a structural change to performance measures. EBacc entry and attainment measures were removed in autumn 2025, but the underlying qualifications list still affects some slots in other measures used in school and college performance tables. That means the guidance continues to have value for schools making decisions about which qualifications count.
How the EBacc framework is described
The guidance describes EBacc as a measure of entry and attainment at key stage 4 in English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. The published spreadsheet, Key stage 4 qualifications counting in the English Baccalaureate, is the attached document that lists the relevant qualifications.
When was the guidance updated?
The page was first published on 1 December 2013 and last updated on 20 October 2026. The update history shows repeated revisions over the years, including changes in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, as the qualifying list has been refreshed.
