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SQA updates Higher and National 5 school English reading list ‘to reflect modern Scotland’

Pabio November 27, 2024

High school students studying English are being offered a more diverse range of books, plays and poems to study that “better reflect a modern Scotland”.

For the first time in eight years, the SQA has updated the reading list for pupils studying Higher Level and Nat 5 English to include a wider variety of contemporary voices.

Published ahead of St Andrew’s Day, the list still includes classic works but will also give a choice of new titles, including the Gaelic play Sequamur, works by author Jenni Fagan, poets Imtiaz Dharkar and Kathleen Jamie.

It followed an extensive consultation which gathered the views of teachers, learners and literary experts from across the country.

Author Ely Percy wrote Duck Feet, which follows a teenager’s experiences at Renfrew High School.

Yellow Moon by David Greig has been added to the SQA English reading list STV News

The book, written in Scots, is a new addition to the National 5 reading list.

Ely told STV News: “I thought winning a Saltire Book Prize was the greatest thing that had ever happened to me.

“How can you beat that?” But now school children will read my work. It’s incredible.

“The book covers everything from bullying, drug addiction, alcoholism, exams and sexuality.

“I’ve had editors come to me and say it’s written in slang, it has spelling mistakes and if you change the style we’d be interested. I told them absolutely no. It’s the way I talk, the way schoolchildren talk. I wanted it to be authentic. It simply couldn’t be written any other way.

Poetry by Norman McCaig and Carol Ann Duffy is currently homework for this group of year five pupils at Lourdes Secondary School in Cardonald in Glasgow.

As part of their English lessons, students must study at least one Scottish text.

The list was last updated in 2018 and for the first time learners had a say in what should be included.

Amelia Farren said: “It’s almost like it belongs to us in a way. I like it when he’s locked up like this. It’s like I’m being told a secret, in a way. I like it when it’s creatively written and not just boring text.

Ely Percy wrote Duck Feet, based on a young girl's experiences at Renfrew High School in the 2000s. — Ely Percy wrote Duck Feet, based on a young girl’s experiences at Renfrew High School in the 2000s. STV News

Aidan Callaghan added: “Sometimes we don’t feel like we’re seen, so if they bring in new books it might make others identify more with what they’re reading and feel more comfortable and happier reading it rather than not being interested in it.”

“I don’t like super traditional things like Shakespeare. I read it and I don’t understand it,” Melody Hynd said.

Natasha Boadi said: “The piece I wrote last year was Lord of the Flies and I really loved it. It was much easier for me to talk about it in my review essay because I really enjoyed the book. It was easier to analyze it.

The SQA says feedback from teachers, lecturers and learners during the review was clear. In addition to classical and popular works, they also wanted a range of modern and diverse voices.

Robert Quinn, head of English, languages and business at SQA, said: “The classic texts are still there, but I think we’ve created a new, broader and more diverse list that excites our guys and hopefully it, will fascinate teachers and learners.

“I think it’s great that the voice of the learner is part of this process.”

Ely Percy reads to students at Lourdes high school STV News

Lourdes secondary head English teacher Michael Peck said: “I think it’s a very positive decision. We have been waiting for this refresh for a long time.

“It’s definitely time to make new choices and this is a good opportunity to reflect the changing demographics in our schools.”

“Learner engagement is essential and, for the profession, it is also a joy to discover new material.

“The challenge will be whether students will feel comfortable analyzing and citing the material? Will this provide them with a good platform to successfully complete their qualification? Because it’s something that concerns them a lot.

“I think as long as there are rich themes, rich use of language, opportunities to explore connotations and ideas, as long as that’s on the list, we’re really in a good place.”

Dr Ronnie Young, Senior Lecturer in Scottish Literature and Associate Director of the Robert Burns Studies Center at the University of Glasgow, said: “By opening the program to a wider range of writers, voices and experiences, the SQA recognizes the continued relevance of Scottish literature. literature in the literary program and its potential to address a diverse audience of students.