A-level English subject update

Welcome to our autumn 2026 newsletter

We're excited to bring you lots of helpful information in this update, including details of our new Curriculum Connects and training courses for A-level English teachers. These events will reflect on the summer 2026 exam series and provide useful insights for the new term. We are also looking forward to our Rethinking Language conference in October. Visit the event page for full details and registration information.

The English Subject Support team at AQA is expanding, and we are pleased to welcome Beth Currall, Jenny Fry, Beth English and Simon Hopper to join Leanne Ncube, Paul Stover, Wayne Power and me in supporting English teachers this year. Our team has a wide range of experience in schools and colleges across English teaching, leadership, assessment and partnership work. We are here to make sure that English teachers can access the support and resources they need throughout the year. In this update, please find information about NEA text introductions for A-level English Literature B and teaching guides to support the teaching of the new A-level English Literature A and A-level English Literature B texts for first exams in 2027.

We wish you a great start to the new school year. We’re looking forward to connecting with many of you at various conferences and events this term and engaging with you in response to assessment Reform in the autumn. In this update, you’ll find all the information to get you started this term.

If any members of your team would like to receive subject-specific updates, they can easily sign up for AQA subject updates , so they’re always informed and part of our community.

Victoria Healey

Subject Lead for English

Stay up to date with assessment reform

This autumn, the Department for Education (DfE) is expected to launch its subject content consultation, confirming which subjects will be included in each phase, sharing proposals for phase 1 and inviting teachers, schools and exam boards to give feedback.

There’s nothing you need to do right now. Once the consultation launches, we’ll help you understand what it means and how to have your say.

In the meantime, catch up on our subject webinars to understand what the Curriculum and Assessment Review means for your subject.

You can also join our Teacher Panel to share your views and help shape what comes next.

For first exam in 2027, we added five new additional texts to our A-level English Literature specifications and we have teaching guides available to download from Centre Services.

If you have been teaching the new texts, have your say.

Get more with myAQA 

myAQA gives you access to everything you need to plan, teach and assess, including our secure extranet – Centre Services. Here you’ll find essential resources, such as the latest past papers, as well as Teacher Online Standardisation (T-OLS) and much more.
Don’t have a myAQA account yet? Complete a short form to get started. Once your Exams Officer has verified your registration, then you’re ready to go.

We offer a wide range of free professional development opportunities designed to build confidence and enhance subject knowledge. This term’s programme includes:

• Mark Scheme Guidance and Application
• Exploring Series (courses designed to take a close look at key questions and skills)
• NEA Marking

Student Advisory Group recruitment for 2026/27

Help your learners influence the future of exams

We’re looking for learners to join our Student Advisory Group for 2026/27.  The group gives young people a direct opportunity to share their experiences and views on qualifications, assessments and the wider exam system. Their insights will help shape the future of the curriculum, qualifications and assessments for young people, as well as our work to offer new vocational qualifications.

If you know any learners who may be interested, please encourage them to apply – we’re looking for students who have taken AQA qualifications, though this is not essential, and they can be sitting general or vocational qualifications.

Applications open: Monday 7 September 2026

Applications close: 5.00pm on Monday 21 September 2026

Thank you for helping us raise awareness of this opportunity among your learners. For more information about the Student Advisory Group and details on how to apply, please visit our website.

Supporting early career teachers

Are you at the start of your teaching journey? Whether you're an early career teacher of English or a PGCE student, we're here to support you.

Following the successful launch of our support programme last term, we are continuing to offer Curriculum Connect sessions both online via Microsoft Teams and face-to-face. These sessions are a great opportunity to develop your subject knowledge, share ideas, and connect with fellow English teachers.

Have your say. We're keen to ensure our support meets your needs. Please take five minutes to complete our short survey and help shape future opportunities.

NEA advisers

For subjects with non-exam assessment, it’s likely you’ll have an NEA adviser. Advisers are experienced teachers and moderators who can provide guidance throughout the academic year on delivering NEA. Find out more about AQA NEA advisers.

Adviser contact details are available on Centre Services from mid-September, so please check back then, as their contact details may have changed from last year. If you don’t have an assigned adviser, please contact us.

Post results:

Log in to myAQA for post-results services.  To find information and deadlines, see this easy summary guide.