Art, drama, languages and geography to become ‘preserve of private schools’ as state sector cuts bite

Subjects that attract fewer pupils at GCSE and A-level are in danger of being axed

Subjects including German, French, art, drama and design technology could soon be shut off to many state school students as heads say they are being forced into cutting expensive and less popular lessons to address crippling deficits.

The vast majority of English state schools expect to be in the red by the next school year, pushed under by enormous energy bills and an unfunded pay rise for teachers.