Action needed to ‘stop spiral of decline’ in English literature A-level
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Urgent action is needed to “stop the spiral of decline” in the popularity of English literature at A-level, a headteachers’ union has warned. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the rise in interest in other subjects, but said he had “severe concern” about English Literature, blaming Government reforms to GCSE for “putting students off” continuing it to A-level. “However, we have to express severe concern about the continuing decline in English entries at A-level with English Literature down 8.9% this year. “The GCSE specification needs to be urgently reviewed and action taken to stop the spiral of decline we are seeing at A-level.” A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said: “English Literature remains a popular subject and the National Curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils appreciate our rich literary heritage.
Fewer students take English and humanities subjects at A-level, figures reveal
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So much for levelling up – if you work in higher education, all you see is decline