Literature Taught in Schools 2022-07-04
2022-07-04
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The variety of literature taught in schools is under scrutiny, including the extent to which it reflects a broad range of cultural and historical contexts.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the variety of literature taught in schools. The national curriculum mandates that pupils should read a wide range of books, poems, and plays to appreciate our rich literary heritage and develop a love for literature.
The national curriculum states that pupils should read a wide range of books, poems and plays to appreciate our rich literary heritage and to develop a love for literature. That includes pre-1914 contemporary prose, poetry and drama, Shakespeare and seminal world literature. Schools have freedom to select texts meeting those criteria.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns have been raised about books and materials that encourage questioning of biological sex, potentially conflicting with parental views on gender roles and stereotypes.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that caution is needed with books that encourage a child to question their biological sex and to believe they were born in the wrong body because of gender nonconformity and not conforming to society's stereotypes? Parents should be able to see what is being shared with children, whether in lessons or the school library.
I want to be clear: parents should know what their children are being taught in school. There are clear requirements on schools about providing parents with information about their school's curriculum. We appreciate that parents have particular concerns about gender nonconformity, which is why we are developing very clear guidance for the frontline for schools to be able to deal with that issue.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding caution and clarity in books encouraging questioning of biological sex was acknowledged but not specifically committed to without vague promises of developing guidance.
Under Review
Developing Very Clear Guidance
Response accuracy