The secondary curriculum review
The contribution English makes to pupils' enjoyment stems from the opportunities it gives them to explore their identity and place in the world, engage actively, have their assumptions challenged and challenge the assumptions of others.
Pupils appreciate the opportunities it gives them to express themselves, whether by presenting their ideas and opinions to persuade readers and listeners or by creating new worlds, both familiar and unfamiliar, in poetry and narrative.
Pupils enjoy being exposed to the richness and breadth of literature. They relish the way that reading can present familiar settings and dilemmas one moment and then ask them to empathise with situations and characters that are beyond their experience the next.
Pupils value the ways in which English helps them achieve, in the subject, across the curriculum and in the world beyond, by developing their ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Central to English is reading for pleasure - encouraging pupils to read as a way to relax and be transported from their day-to-day worries and concerns. Similarly, literature can help young people work through problems and dilemmas they face by suggesting how they may deal with such problems. Both these aspects of reading have an important role to play in ensuring pupils' mental health and sense of well-being.
English gives pupils the confidence to ask questions, rather than taking things at face value. It provides them with the skills to examine the validity of what they are told or read and challenge it on grounds of logic, evidence or argument. Through reading a variety of texts and discussing issues, English can provide opportunities to explore situations and dilemmas that will help pupils make the right choices to stay safe.
English plays a central role in contributing to young people's long-term economic well-being by developing the literacy and communication skills essential to any job. It encourages them to be adaptable and find creative solutions to problems, plan and prepare to put their views and ideas across for maximum effect, and work effectively in groups. All these are skills and attributes valued by employers.
English provides many opportunities for pupils to get involved and contribute positively by working collaboratively, most obviously as part of a group discussion or drama performance, but also through the emphasis on pupils evaluating and providing constructive responses to each other's work. Another key aspect of making a positive contribution is being involved in the community, and in English pupils have the opportunity to speak, listen and write for purposes and contexts beyond the classroom.
