Pupils in England from low-income families ‘bounced out’ of costlier GCSEs

Costs associated with geography field trips and modern foreign language visits make it difficult for the most disadvantaged students to pursue these subjects. Photograph: redsnapper/Alamy

Secondary school pupils from low-income families are “bounced out” of studying subjects such as geography and languages because of fears about extra costs, according to a survey of children in England.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of those surveyed who were in receipt of free school meals (FSM) said the cost – or worries about the cost – prevented them from choosing certain GCSE subjects, compared with just 9% of non-FSM pupils.