Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 April 2001. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Thursday, 5 April 2001 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his Answer of 5th March, 364 c3W, on Shakespeare, what plans he has for the examining at GCSE of the required study of Shakespeare and the other literary figures referred to in his Answer.

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001, Official Report, column 3W, on Shakespeare, what plans he has for the examining at GCSE of the required study of Shakespeare and the other literary figures referred to in his answer. [156147] Mr. Wicks: Currently there are two GCSE examinations: GCSE English--which covers the full National Curriculum programme of study in English, including the literature requirements--and GCSE English Literature which ranges more widely. The proposal to review the GCSE in English arose from a review of examination standards over time commissioned and published by the previous administration. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has been consulting widely on how to take forward recommendations from the SCAA/Ofsted report "Standards in Public Examinations 1975 to 1995" published in December 1996. We have insisted that the proportion of Shakespeare and other major figures from British literature covered in any proposals for a new English examination should not be diminished.

Secondary information