NAWE was given some good news today. Sarah White from the AQA exam board has been in touch to say that the support generated for the A and AS level in Creative Writing has made a difference. The subject is not going to be cut. It will however be under reform over the next few years to meet Ofqual’s criteria.
Here is a link to the latest government information. NAWE will keep closely involved in advocating for its development, but thank you to you all for help in letters of support and help in drafting responses so far.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/427471/2015-05-14-reform-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2017-may-2015.pdf .
Support came from a wide range of sources, many NAWE members and the English Media Centre:
http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk
Professor Susan Bruce writes...
'I write as Chair of University English to express our profound consternation that the
new AL specification in Creating Writing is under review, and thus at risk of withdrawal.
University English is the main professional organization for English lecturers in
universities across the UK. Our aim is to promote the study of English in all of its
aspects – literature, language and creative writing – and to further the development of
both teaching and research in the field. We are funded by subscription from
departments, and we represent the breadth of provision at HE level across the UK. We
are regularly consulted by funding councils, government agencies and other bodies: we
played a full role, for example, in the recent QAA revision of the National Benchmark
Statement for English.
At HE level, one of the most notable features of English provision across the nation has
been the enormous rise in the popularity of Creative Writing degrees in recent years,
both at under- and at post- graduate levels.'