Speakers: Simon Gibbons & Sarah Steadman

There has been a rapid decline in the number of students studying English, English Literature and English Language and Literature at post 16 level over the past decade. The total decline between 2013-2023 was 35%, from 84,250 to 53,965 (FE Week, 2024). Despite a slight increase in A Level English entries for 2024, rising to 60670 (JCQ, 2024), the situation is still dire. Drawing on data from a pilot study involving focus group interviews conducted with English teachers/Heads of English and with post 16 students (both those studying English Literature and those who have chosen not to study it, despite being qualified), our presentation highlights the role of teachers in addressing the decline in recruitment to A level English Literature. We examine how teachers might mitigate against societal and policy limitations of English to frame it as a worthwhile subject with viable career options. We also consider the role of teacher educators in offering the space for future English teachers to formulate their own ideas of how inquiring professionals can impact on the promotion and development of post 16 English Literature pathways.

 This is online and in person. Please email olivia.knapton@kcl.ac.uk to receive Teams link