Calls for Inclusive and Diverse Stories in UK English Curriculum
Malorie Blackman stresses the need for inclusive and diverse contemporary stories in the UK English literature curriculum to enhance student engagement and relatability. The Lit in Colour campaign, launched by Penguin Books and the Runnymede Trust, supports this initiative, showing improved exam results and student engagement. The campaign was partly inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and aims to diversify educational materials.
Author Malorie Blackman has emphasized the importance of incorporating more inclusive and diverse contemporary stories into the UK English literature curriculum.
She argues that these stories are relevant and relatable to young people's lives, thus encouraging more children to read for pleasure.
In her foreword to a Lit in Colour campaign report, Blackman highlights the need for students to see themselves reflected in the literature they study.
The Lit in Colour campaign, which was launched by Penguin Books in collaboration with the Runnymede Trust in 2020, aims to diversify the teaching and learning resources in English literature.
Research by the University of Oxford, commissioned by Penguin and Pearson Edexcel, has shown that texts from authors of colour enhance student engagement.
Hayley Robathan, head of English at UTC Derby, testified to the positive impact of introducing Blackman's Boys Don’t Cry to the GCSE syllabus in 2021, reporting a significant increase in pass rates.
The initiative was inspired by the global Black Lives Matter movement, and Pearson has since introduced a diverse selection of texts to their Edexcel English Literature GCSE.
Sarah Hannafin from the NAHT underscores the importance of diverse learning resources for student inspiration and engagement.
She argues that these stories are relevant and relatable to young people's lives, thus encouraging more children to read for pleasure.
In her foreword to a Lit in Colour campaign report, Blackman highlights the need for students to see themselves reflected in the literature they study.
The Lit in Colour campaign, which was launched by Penguin Books in collaboration with the Runnymede Trust in 2020, aims to diversify the teaching and learning resources in English literature.
Research by the University of Oxford, commissioned by Penguin and Pearson Edexcel, has shown that texts from authors of colour enhance student engagement.
Hayley Robathan, head of English at UTC Derby, testified to the positive impact of introducing Blackman's Boys Don’t Cry to the GCSE syllabus in 2021, reporting a significant increase in pass rates.
The initiative was inspired by the global Black Lives Matter movement, and Pearson has since introduced a diverse selection of texts to their Edexcel English Literature GCSE.
Sarah Hannafin from the NAHT underscores the importance of diverse learning resources for student inspiration and engagement.
