English in Crisis: Can Outreach Help?

In the summer of 2017, as teachers, academics and other members of the wider English community met at the ‘Shared Futures’ conference, Year 11s across the country sat their examinations for the new reformed English GCSE. Graded with a numerical system of 9–1, the new course is designed to be more demanding and to stretch able students: coursework has been abolished, all examinations are closed-book, and there is an increased emphasis on the ‘classics’ of British literature. At the same time, the introduction of the new linear A-Level requires Key Stage 5 students to sit all of their examinations at the end of a two-year course, rather than in the stages facilitated by the previous AS system, and sees a reduction in coursework. Creative Writing did not survive the A-Level reforms. Critics of these changes have argued that they risk placing English studies in crisis and, indeed, there is already evidence to suggest that some students are being put off pursuing higher-level qualifications in English. A recent study conducted by John Gordon at the University of East Anglia's School of Education revealed that many pupils find the new literature GCSE off-putting and confusing, preventing them from having the kinds of discussions that allow them to enjoy the texts they are required to study. This may well have a knock-on effect on the number of students choosing to study English at A-Level, with entries in 2017 already having dropped by 11.1% for English Language and Literature, 10.2% for English Language, and 4.7% for English Literature. Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, fears that the ‘love of the subject’ that inspires students to continue English to A-Level is in ‘danger of being overshadowed’ by the more rigid standards now expected. Against this backdrop of educational reform, we also face an increased governmentbacked emphasis on the supposed superiority of STEM subjects and the accompanying perception that the study of English is only useful if it is skills-based and relevant to ‘real life’.

As many English departments in universities across the UK encounter a corresponding decline in applications, an increasing number of academics are considering how we can connect with younger students by offering educational outreach.