Jack Gamble, director of the Campaign for the Arts, said: “The arts’ share of GCSE entries is at a devastatingly low point, having shrunk by almost half since 2010. This year that share stayed the same, but stagnation is not recovery.”

He added: “The government has pledged to revitalise arts education and to rethink the policies that got us here. It is vital they keep that promise and start to turn this around. Arts education matters. ”