That’s not to say that there isn’t a place for Shakespeare, Golding et al, but, as a recent report by End Sexism In Schools pointed out, nationally 77% of novels studied at Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) are authored by men, with 82% of KS3 novels featuring male protagonists: an alarming imbalance.
Alleyn’s School in Dulwich, south London quotes End Sexism in Schools research as the rationale for addressing sexism in the curriculum.
The school’s head of English, Alex Smith, has introduced a policy where pupils have to study books from a wider range of writers.
Sources: The Daily Mail, The Telegraph
