A conversation in progress - shaping the future of English
When we launched our Let’s Talk English campaign earlier this year, our purpose was clear: to create an open space for the education community to explore how GCSE English teaching, learning and assessment could evolve to better serve every student.
We didn’t start with answers or predetermined solutions; we started with questions — and an invitation for teachers, students and education leaders to share their experiences, insights and ideas about what English could become.
The breadth of conversations
The response has been extraordinary. Since March, we’ve heard from voices across education building a picture that reveals both challenges and possibilities within English education today.
Our research has captured the perspectives of more than 800 secondary English teachers, 1000 college students and 1000 college tutors — each sharing honest and passionate reflections on what’s working and what could, and should, change.
In 10 forums, both virtual and in-person, we’ve brought together 30 sector representatives and over 60 teachers for thoughtful debate, sparking rich, solution-focused discussions. Alongside these, interviews with teachers and sector leaders have offered deeper insights into the everyday realities and aspirations shaping classrooms.
And the conversation hasn’t stopped there. From attending major events like PiXL English, NATE, the Speaking Summit and English: Shared Futures to the start of our regional tour in Crawley - comprising teachers from 11 schools and an inspiring student panel — we’ve witnessed energy, creativity and commitment to exploring the future of English education. This reinforces just how deeply educators and students care about the subject.
A spectrum of ideas
Throughout these past few months, what’s become clear is that there is no single path forward — and that’s what we’d expect from a subject, in the words of Geoff Barton, “as rich and as complex as English”. Instead, we’ve heard a spectrum of thoughtful possibilities and creative approaches, all of which deserve deeper exploration.
Some areas are sparking real momentum: teachers and students alike are calling for a stronger emphasis on oracy skills, highlighting the importance of creativity and self-expression, envisioning an English curriculum that better prepares students for the realities of modern life and work.
There is appetite for the introduction of more contemporary texts alongside the canonical, but a recognition from all that despite their added value, time and budget restrictions are natural barriers to this development.
At the same time, we’ve heard bold, thought-provoking contributions where consensus hasn’t yet been reached. Some educators felt that the reintroduction of coursework elements could better capture the breadth of a student's skills over time. Others raised concerns about the additional workload this could create, alongside wider system challenges such as the growing availability and influence of AI.
It’s this breadth of insights that makes conversations like these so powerful: the range of ideas that fuels potential for meaningful change. They highlight the importance of collaboration and a shared journey towards shaping English education for every classroom.
Shaping English Together
Let’s Talk English is about keeping that spirit of openness alive, creating space for ideas to be tested, shared and debated. Each perspective helps build a clearer understanding of what English education might look like in the future and ensures that any changes reflect the realities of classrooms across the country.
The conversations we’ve had are laying the groundwork for informed decisions about the future of English education. Every perspective matters. Each voice adds something vital to the bigger picture of what English could become.
Looking ahead
As we move towards the next phase of the work and the upcoming Curriculum and Assessment Review, we’ll be drawing together all these insights — creative ideas shared in our forums, passionate discussions at events across the country — to help inform the conversations about what comes next.
The future of English won’t be shaped by one perspective or one stakeholder. It will emerge from the collective wisdom of everyone who cares about helping young people develop the confidence, creativity and critical thinking skills they need to succeed in life beyond school.
Whether that involves changes to assessment, curriculum content, teaching approaches or all / none of the above, we will actively take on board the fantastic range of ideas and perspectives shared so far, with every step focused on better outcomes for students.
That’s a conversation worth having — and it’s one that's only the beginning.