Teaching from September 2023
Spark something powerful
Inspirational new texts and poetry for GCSE English Literature.
Influence change with our modern texts
Since the last reform in 2015, teachers have asked for our set text offer to be more inclusive. Our three new texts and the introduction of our new poetry cluster have helped to make our overall offer more balanced and inclusive.
All of our set texts, including the new ones, will help spark inspiration for students.
SS Author question and answer videos
You asked and our authors answered. Our new question and answer videos lift the lid on the inspiration behind our new texts, and reveal some interesting reasons behind the themes.
Support and resources
We're here to support you throughout all of your assessments, so whatever texts you choose to teach, we’ll be with you every step of the way, continuing to build up our resource offer.
Resources
Discover resources and sample assessment materials to help support you with teaching.
Companion guide
Explore the new texts and poems, key dates for your calendar and find out why we’ve made these changes.
Online events
We’ve created a free, on-demand e-Learning module to explain the changes in more detail.
Want a free poetry anthology?
Get your free copy of our new Worlds and lives poetry anthology when you register your interest.
Our new texts and poetry
Introducing these great works of literature offering rich opportunities to engage with issues and ideas that your students can relate to.
Explore our inspirational new texts and poetry cluster:
Worlds and lives
A third poetry cluster
An exciting, modern collection of poems that include some well-known, familiar names as well as new, current voices. The collection is both personal and political and explores concerns about the world we live in.
Princess & The Hustler
Writer: Chinonyerem Odimba
A heart-warming play about the world of a 10-year old girl and her family living in 1960s Bristol. Set against the backdrop of the Bristol bus boycott, the play brings a previously untold, yet significant chapter in Black British history into the spotlight.
Leave Taking
Writer: Winsome Pinnock
A funny and moving play about the lives and relationships of a mother and her two daughters living in North London. It centres around the three women all searching to settle their own sense of identity in very different ways.
My Name is Leon
Writer: Kit de Waal
This coming-of-age story follows a loving and loyal 9-year old boy who is on a mission to reunite his family, after becoming separated from his mother. The novel is inspirational and empowering and positively explores foster care in the 1980s.
"Our vision is to provide a diverse and inclusive curriculum that reflects the lives of young people. These works of literature offer the opportunity to explore issues and ideas and introduce further great writers to our specification. This is just the beginning."”
Pauline McPartlan | Head of Curriculum – English