THE English Baccalaureate could reduce the subject options available to young people, an MP fears.

Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker, a member of the government’s education committee, says concerns have been expressed about the English Baccalaureat narrowing the curriculum for many.

Mr Whittaker has this week been listening to evidence from headteachers as part of an evidence gathering session into the new qualification.

The Baccalaureat is awarded to students gaining five A* to C grades in English, maths, a science, a language and a humanities subject, history or geography.

It was used as a school performance indicator for the first time in January and could become part of inspections by Ofsted.

But the Calder Valley Conservative said headteachers had expressed concerns about the possible loss of religious studies and music within the curriculum.

He said: “Many headteachers are worried these subjects will be downgraded.”

Mr Whittaker said it was important not to take the English Bac as a single entity, but to view it in the light of other changes within the education system.

The committee will hear further evidence in April before publishing its findings.