Petition · Department for Education

Include more modern and diverse authors in the GCSE English curriculum

Open for signatures 84 signatures

What the petition asks

I want the Government to review the old existing texts and plays and to include some authors written by women and people who come from a diverse background. One report suggested 1% of GCSE students have studied a book written by an author of colour.
I think the texts are outdated and not relevant for the growing world. Also that students find these particular texts boring and they are particularly uninterested in something they may not particularly relate too.

Timeline

23 Feb 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 84
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Education
Opened 23 Feb 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.