Performing arts could be marginalised by new plans to alter school league tables, head teachers have argued.

From 2014, schools where students take both dance and drama subjects at GCSE level will see the qualifications listed as one in league tables and this could have a dramatic effect on pupils' choices.

"Some schools may be tempted to say, 'If we can't count both we won't let pupils do both,'" explained Duncan Baldwin, deputy policy director of the head teachers' union ASCL.

The changes are also set to limit other pairs of subjects that the government believes have syllabuses that are too similar, such as art and photography or music and music technology.

Speaking to BBC News, Mr Baldwin, agreed with the government that there was scope to change the league tables as some schools had been manipulating them by running two very similar courses and counting grades twice. However, he believes the changes will affect other schools, courses and pupils who were learning very "distinct disciplines", stating there needs to be a debate "where you draw the line". 

The union leader pointed out the changes stand to penalise arts more than humanities, with similar subjects such as history and ancient history to be continued to be counted as two separate grades in the league tables. As such, ASCL has asked the Department of Education to take advice from subject specialists before swinging its axe.

In a statement, the government responded by saying: "We use discounting to discourage schools from entering their pupils into a number of similar qualifications."

As someone who is looking for a teaching job or already works in a school, what do you think about this? Have you seen evidence of courses that are too similar to count as two distinct grades? Are pupils who favour arts subjects being unfairly punished?