Gove's GCSE reforms could cost Britain 'creative edge', Tate director warns Speaking at the launch of the Tate's annual report, Sir Nicholas Serota pointed out the proposals for the English Baccalaureate, or 'Ebacc', certificates - which would replace GCSEs - did not include the arts as a core subject. He urged the Government to keep the arts as a key part of the curriculum in any exams shake-up. Education Secretary Michael Gove announced his proposals last week to reform the exam system, with the new qualification initially covering English, maths and sciences. It would later be rolled out to history, geography and languages. But the Tate director today said that the failure to include the arts as a core subject suggested there might be no room in the school timetable for art, design, dance, drama and music. He warned that unless arts disciplines remained within the national curriculum for secondary schools and had a place in the English Baccalaureate, young people would miss out on the opportunity to express themselves though the arts, which he claimed can be fundamental to achieving success in later life. A report for the departments of Education and Culture, Media and Sport published in February and written by Classic FM boss Darren Henley endorsed the importance of cultural learning. But Sir Nicholas said there were fears the report's detailed proposals would not find a place in any review of the curriculum. He said: "We cannot deprive an entire generation of children of the cultural skills that they will need." The Tate had more than 600,000 schoolchildren visit its four galleries during the past year.