The Department for Education emphasised this would not mean the end of A-levels - but the addition of an A-Bacc, which would include A-levels, as a new measure for schools.

BBC: A-level students facing shake-up

It had been heavily criticised by teaching unions and some groups, especially those involved in the arts, who said it would narrow the curriculum and that fewer young people would study art and music and other non-Bacc subjects as a result of it.

BBC: Why the Ebacc Certificates sank and what happens next

The Tech Bacc will require students to have three elements - qualifications in maths and literacy and a "high quality" vocational qualification.

BBC: 'Tech Bacc' aims to boost status of vocational courses