British expand list of great literature, slim national curriculum

The list of great literature in English lessons is being expanded as part of a reform of the national curriculum in England. Curriculum chief Ken Boston is today (July 12) launching the biggest shake-up of the secondary school curriculum in years. A new slimmed-down national curriculum for 11- to 16-year-olds will be adopted that puts more emphasis on teaching topics. This will enable students to research subjects in much greater depth and make learning more relevant to big issues of the day, such as global warming, Boston says. There will also still be a list of Western authors that pupils ages 14 to 16 should study, in addition to those from non-English cultures. "For should, read must," says Boston. Read the rest of the article and see what authors are on the list at The Independent online.