Written by Jessica Tacon
Jessica Tacon is second in charge of the English Department at City of London Academy Highgate Hill and is a member of NATE’s (National Association for the Teaching of English) ‘Reviewing Literature’ working group. She created The Right Writing campaign which aims to improve racial diversity in English Education.
The title of this piece reflects an ongoing challenge in education, but also an opportunity. While many schools and educators have made strides in diversifying their English curricula, there’s always room for progress. Students across the country deserve to see themselves reflected in the texts they study, while also being exposed to a wide range of perspectives. Diverse literature enriches learning experiences, fosters empathy, and ensures every student feels valued.
Here’s a brief overview of why a diverse and inclusive curriculum is essential:
- Representation matters: Research by Penguin Random House revealed that many students never study a text by a writer of colour, apart from a few poems in their GCSE studies. They also found that only 7% of students study a text by a woman, and just 0.1% study a text by a woman of colour. Every child deserves to see their experiences and identities reflected in what they read. Not only does this enhance engagement and enjoyment, but it can also lead to better academic outcomes.
- Retention in English Studies: When students don’t see themselves or diverse perspectives in their English lessons, they may perceive the subject as irrelevant. This may lead to a drop in the number of students pursuing English at A-level, which in turn impacts representation in higher education and English-related fields. A diverse curriculum can break this cycle by making the subject more relatable and meaningful.
- Broadening horizons: While representation is crucial, it’s equally important to introduce students to experiences, cultures, and voices beyond their own. Literature has always been a bridge to other worlds, offering insights into lives that differ from our own. This is a fundamental aspect of fostering curiosity and empathy in young people.
- Addressing historical imbalances: Historically, the English curriculum has often overlooked diverse voices. As educators, we have the opportunity (and responsibility) to address these imbalances and create and embed a curriculum that is inclusive, honest, and representative of a wide range of experiences.
Despite these clear benefits, the teaching of a diverse and inclusive range of literature texts isn’t yet the norm in all schools.
Support (and essential investment) is needed from senior leads in schools, and multi-academy trusts, to make this a reality. It is challenging as individuals may not be English specialists, but the points above highlight how a change in English can have a far-reaching impact on young people.
With this in mind, I would like to explore the common barriers to change and five solution-focused strategies to help schools embrace a more inclusive curriculum.
Strategies
Strategy 1: Emphasise the positive impact on students
Barrier: Leadership may focus on the potential challenges rather than the benefits of inclusivity.
Solution: Highlight the research-backed benefits of a diverse curriculum. For instance, the research by Penguin Random House shows students are more engaged when they see themselves reflected in their studies, and they perform better academically. Explain how inclusive texts also broaden students’ horizons, fostering empathy and critical thinking by exposing them to new perspectives and cultures. Frame change as being much less of a risk than continuing to teach a set of texts which actually may be disengaging students in the English classroom.
Message for leadership: A diverse curriculum creates a more engaged and motivated student body, which translates to higher achievement and a stronger school culture.
Strategy 2: Frame diversity as a shared responsibility
Barrier: Leaders may feel diversity initiatives are an additional challenge in an already complex system.
Solution: Present inclusivity as a professional and moral responsibility to address historical imbalances in education. Position the school as a leader in creating a curriculum that prepares students for life in a diverse and interconnected world.
Message for leadership: Diversity isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s essential for fostering a fair and well-rounded education. Implementing an inclusive curriculum aligns with the school’s duty to provide all students with an equitable experience.
Strategy 3: Offer practical solutions to time and workload challenges
Barrier: Leaders may worry that introducing new texts will increase workload for already overstretched staff.
Solution: Reassure them that high-quality, ready-to-use resources are available. Platforms like BBC Bitesize offer support materials on a range of texts including some recently added to diversify exam board text options, such as My Name is Leon and Leave Taking. BBC Bitesize, as its name suggests, is a great jump-off point for exploring a diverse range of texts by breaking them down into manageable chunks.
Message for leadership: Implementing an inclusive curriculum doesn’t need to add extra strain. Leverage existing resources and expert support to streamline the process.
Strategy 4: Address staff confidence with professional development
Barrier: Some educators may feel unprepared to teach unfamiliar texts or discuss sensitive topics.
Solution: Advocate for investment in professional development such as training sessions or workshops that help staff gain confidence in teaching diverse texts. Highlight that introducing new material can be professionally invigorating, offering opportunities for growth and fresh perspectives. For instance, one text added to AQA’s English Literature GCSE as part of their diversity drive is Princess and the Hustler by Chinonyerem Odimba. It’s a modern, engaging text that explores rich themes, literary techniques, and historical context, making it a rewarding teaching (and learning) experience.
Message for leadership: Building staff confidence through professional development ensures successful implementation while reinvigorating teaching practices.
Strategy 5: Present change as achievable and incremental
Barrier: Leaders may see curriculum reform as an overwhelming, all-or-nothing process.
Solution: If this is the case, advocate for a phased approach, starting with small but meaningful changes (such as introducing one or two new texts). You could suggest piloting new texts with specific classes before scaling up.
Message for leadership: Curriculum change doesn’t need to happen all at once. An incremental approach makes the process manageable while demonstrating the positive impact of inclusive texts.
Looking ahead
It’s important to acknowledge that change in education is rarely quick or easy. However, the potential benefits far outweigh the challenges. A truly diverse and inclusive curriculum not only enriches students’ academic experiences but also prepares them to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
Of course, diversifying texts is just one part of creating an inclusive school environment. Staff training, teaching approaches, and the broader school culture all play critical roles in ensuring that diversity is embedded meaningfully and authentically.
Every student deserves an education that values their identity and broadens their horizons. As we move forward, let’s commit to making this vision a reality.
To access the BBC Bitesize GCSE English Literature collection, please visit: https://rebrand.ly/7d51da