Research from Edge reveals that more than half of GCSE students (56 per cent) are uninspired by at least three of the subjects studied and 41 per cent are uninspired by at least four subjects (half of the average eight subjects taken). Disinterest in a subject impacts directly on study performance – 46 per cent admitted they revise less for subjects that don’t motivate them, 40 per cent switch off in class and 30 per cent feel stressed studying for these exams.

Two thirds of the students polled (66 per cent) said their talents would have been better developed with a wider range of ‘hands on’ learning through practical and vocational courses. A majority (57 per cent) believe everyone should study at least one practical and vocational subject (e.g. engineering or hospitality) as well as academic subjects like English and maths.

Most students (63 per cent) said they would have liked more subjects to choose from. Topping the wish list for school based learning is computer programming voted for by almost a quarter (22 per cent). Criminology (21 per cent), film (18 per cent) and photography (17 per cent) follow in close succession. Other subjects voted for by young people include, Veterinary science, fashion and engineering.

To avoid the next generation of GCSE students being let down, Edge is asking students to ‘Name their subject’. The top subjects will then be delivered to politicians and policy-makers.

If a wider choice of subjects were delivered, 87 per cent said they feel they would have been better prepared for a job and 89 per cent say they would have more chance of finding what they are good at. A wider choice of subjects would also mean 73 per cent would stop feeling they have only been taught to test.

But it’s not just about what and how you learn - who you are taught by also matters. And it would seem Baron Alan Sugar is in demand by the country’s school children as well as Government. A third of students say (35 per cent) they would like Baron Alan to help them with their maths studies. Other well-known British faces who would be welcomed in the classroom include Ewan McGregor to teach drama (28 per cent), Jacqueline Wilson for English lessons (27 per cent) and this season’s Formula One star, Jenson Button for engineering (24 per cent). In all, three quarters of GCSE students (73 per cent) would like to be taught by external experts alongside their teachers.

Andy Powell from Edge said:
“The GCSE students of today are tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, entertainers and world leaders, but the current exam options don’t help all their talents to flourish. This research proves the menu of options for young people needs to be much more varied, offering many paths to success. Edge is calling for a revolution in the education system to ensure all students can take a broad balance of theoretical and practical courses – alongside English, maths and science.

“Colleges, schools, universities, employers and the wider community all have a much bigger role to play in bringing the curriculum to life for all young people. All students learn in a different way – some respond to being taught in a practical way, some to being taught in a theoretical way and most to a combination of both – but the majority of current GCSEs on offer, and the way they are taught, favour academically minded students. This needs to change.”

Young people can visit edge.co.uk to ‘Name their subject’, identifying the subject they most want to see included in the GCSE portfolio and why. As well as being given to politicians, the subjects will be used in Edge advertising – giving young people the voice they deserve.