In anticipation of the updated list of Scottish set texts from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), English teachers had been waiting with, if not exactly bated breath, certainly a degree of hope.
It had been a number of years since the last “refresh” and in the wake of an extensive consultation, hopes were high that this would be a much needed shake-up of what is, for many teachers, their least favourite component of the course.
So, did it deliver? Well, yes…and no.
The SQA update of Scottish set texts for English
The good
The list is certainly more diverse, with the inclusion of more female writers, writers of colour and LGBTQ+ writers than ever before. It’s great to see names that we’ve been clamouring for finally appear on the list. Poets such as Len Pennie, Imtiaz Dharker and Kathleen Jamie are welcome additions, as are Jenni Fagan’s The Sunlight Pilgrims and Ely Percy’s Duck Feet.
It’s also lovely to see the inclusion of more modern drama, such as David Greig’s Yellow Moon and Sequamur by Donald S Murray. While they’re exciting additions, the cynic in me wonders how widely they’ll be taught, given a lack of filmed productions. This was a barrier for The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil, a play that remains excellent but is almost impenetrable to students unless watched live, and so has now been cut from the list due to low uptake.
Another welcome change is the inclusion of anthology options: both a crossover collection of short stories (likely a popular choice given the number of bi-level classes nationally) and two collections of poetry, one for National 5 and one for Higher. Both of these anthologies pluck gems from across the centuries of Scottish poetry, incorporating traditional ballads, poems by Robert Burns and poetry from the 20th and 21st centuries.
This is a terrific idea, and is likely inspired by the GCSE poetry anthologies used south of the border. While I have many, many issues with the GCSE course itself, its poetry anthologies are a great element, and its inclusion of 15 poems and a tighter thematic focus makes them more wide-ranging than the SQA equivalent. That being said, this is a welcome development, and hopefully it bodes well for the impending changes to the national qualifications.
I particularly appreciate that the poems and short story anthology will all be available online, which will help to make these more accessible and attractive to schools.
The bad
Some of the old issues remain; in balancing the need for change against extant resources, it’s no big surprise to see the perennial Morgan, Duffy and MacCaig (criminally misspelled in the SQA’s press release) retained. While some new poems in their lists are welcome, a number remain that have nothing to do with Scotland, Scottish identity or culture. Hotel Room, 12th Floor, I’m looking at you.
Also, in an excited frenzy to read the new longer texts as I write this, I have struggled to source copies of some, which doesn’t bode well. And I wonder how school budgets will cope with Sequamur only being available in a £20 anthology. Fingers crossed that publishers rise to the occasion.
Ultimately, though, I suspect it won’t matter. While I fervently hope that these options will lead to a more exciting, engaging variety of Scottish voices being taught in schools, and I know I’ll be making use of these new texts, many schools will likely opt for the safe, familiar forms of Duffy and MacCaig.
The frustrating
The elephant in the room, of course, remains the instrument of assessment. The Scottish set text component is widely hated by teachers, and until that is revised, core issues in the curriculum - the devaluing of literature and critical-thinking skills - will remain.
But this is a step in the right direction, for sure. There are some great texts and writers on the list, and I’m excited to dive into them and, like a demented, nerdy kid in a candy store, gorge myself on Scottish literature.
Andy Leask is a teacher of English in Scotland
For the latest in Scottish education delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for Tes’ The Week in Scotland newsletter
