CHANGING THE SUBJECT

from Independent School Parent Spring Senior 2023

SCHOOL MEMORIES LUKE HEMSLEY

Alarm bells are now ringing loud and clear in the ears of parents and teachers with the news that English has fallen out of the top ten most popular subjects at A-level for the rst time. It is particularly concerning that there was nearly a 10 per cent reduction in the number of pupils studying English A-level in 2021/2 – representing the biggest ever year-on-year drop for a single subject. is is not a trend that I recognise in my own school, where the popularity of English continues to grow, but it still makes uncomfortable reading for any English teacher and should be a cause for concern across the wider teaching profession too.

Geo Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said that government reforms to GCSE English Literature were to blame for the national fall, as students are put o the subject ‘because of the grind of memorising large amounts of traditional texts.’ en, of course, there’s the inevitable competition from computer screens.

e ‘instant grati cation’, connectivity and words and to build a reasoned and considered argument are core skills. And those are skills that everyone will need in life – whatever other A-level subjects they choose, whatever their interests and whatever their chosen career. e power of words, in uence of books and sense of ful lment that come from understanding complex and disparate feelings and being able to articulate thoughts, are immeasurable. Perhaps more than any other subject, English has to be a dynamic and expansive learning experience so such qualities can ourish and a ect every area of a child’s personal development. It mustn’t be perceived as a memory test or a predictable repeat of what has gone before. e growing popularity of the International Baccalaureate (IB) adds weight to this argument. Many European and US universities recognise the importance of English and study of literature beyond the age of 16 as consistent with the value of independent learning, re ection and inquiry. ere is mounting evidence that English A-level is increasingly chosen by students taking a fourth humanities subject alongside STEM choices, dependency associated with the internet and social media not only compromise personal discovery, but also sti e the scope for imagination, creativity and empathy. Aside from the imbalance and mental health consequences of this digital saturation, creative thinking risks being strangled at source and ‘traditional’ reading becomes more associated with work than pleasure.

We really mustn’t lose sight of the fact that reading and writing are essential tools that can also provide deep joy throughout life. Reading promotes mindfulness and brain development, develops language and emotions, and strengthens relationships. It is also the best way for any child to cultivate their own personal interests and to build sympathy and understanding between people with di erent experiences.

Personal interpretation is also a key quality in English. An examiner wants to know what a student thinks, so the ability to put feelings into with English and English-related degrees (such as journalism, law, lm and theatre and media studies) still popular choices at higher education. a t

It is really a question of nding the right balance, thinking beyond the page and classroom and showing contemporary relevance for those students about to enter the sixth form. Workshops with respected poets, authors and playwrights, reading material from other cultures, creative writing and poetry competitions, recitals, book clubs, literary societies and attendance at relevant stage and lm performances or digital theatre experiences, will all help to enthuse and encourage young minds. Such active engagement also demonstrates that English can be a truly inspiring, enriching and immensely ful lling voyage of discovery. e onus is on the teaching profession to show how the next generation can bene t from the diverse and deep value of a subject that must no longer be taken for granted.