DOCS

EBacc Languages %

DfE Performance Tables

Last refreshed 30 January 2026 16:42
Back to all fields

EBacc Languages %

DfE Performance Tables

Percentage of pupils achieving grade 5+ in EBacc modern foreign languages

Understanding EBacc Languages Percentage

This metric shows the percentage of students achieving a grade 5 or above in a modern or ancient language as part of the English Baccalaureate. Languages are often the most challenging EBacc component for schools to achieve high rates in.

What Counts as EBacc Languages

Qualifying languages include: - Modern languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, etc. - Ancient languages: Latin, Classical Greek - Community languages: Recognised qualifications in heritage languages

Why Languages Often Have Lower Rates

The languages component typically has the lowest achievement rates because: - Not all students take a language GCSE - Language GCSEs are considered more challenging to grade highly in - Some schools have limited language provision - Languages require sustained study over multiple years

Interpreting the Data

  • 40%+: Strong languages provision
  • 20-40%: Typical range
  • Below 20%: Limited language uptake or achievement

Schools with high language rates often have strong international links or serve communities where multilingualism is valued.

Technical Details

Column Name
ebacc_languages_pct
Data Source
DfE Performance Tables

Coverage by School Phase

How many schools have data available for this field.

Primary
0% 0 / 17910
Secondary
93% 1176 / 1263
Secondary with Sixth Form
95% 1946 / 2033
Sixth Form Only
0% 0 / 289
All-through
59% 161 / 269
Special
29% 615 / 2059
Independent
45% 784 / 1724
Good (80%+)
Moderate (50-79%)
Poor (<50%)

This field does not contribute to the performance score calculation.

Distribution by School Phase

Statistical distribution of values across schools.

Min
0.0
Max
100.0
Mean
36.72
Median
33.61
Std Dev
21.73
Schools
4682
Secondary (1176)
51
155
233
213
171
125
91
66
52
19
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Secondary with Sixth Form (1946)
109
182
278
259
256
194
168
162
161
177
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
All-through (161)
4
22
23
24
18
12
13
17
23
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Special (615)
600
11
2
2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Independent (784)
134
74
82
82
72
68
70
58
53
91
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Related Fields

Fields that correlate with EBacc Languages %. Click to explore.

Positive correlation
Negative correlation