Calls to scrap Shakespeare from schools are slapped down by the Education Secretary

A FRESH push to scrap Shakespeare from schools has been slapped down by the Education Secretary.

Bridget Phillipson blasted a top teacher’s suggestion that the Bard be replaced with works Gen Z pupils can relate with – like studying Instagram posts.

Freddie Baveystock, the head of English at Harris Westminster, said “our obsession with Shakespeare needs discussion” and was open to it being pulled as a compulsory curriculum.

He said teenagers were being “turned off” studying literature by “forcing them to read an entire Shakespeare play”.

He said it was “cramming other things out of the curriculum that might be more exciting for them.”

Mr Baveystock added in : “I am also hoping we can expand our definition of what a text is. Teenagers write a lot on social media.

“They post long screeds on Instagram. Communication on WhatsApp, Instagram — this form of writing should be on the English-language syllabus at GCSE.”

It marks the latest attempt to banish Shakespeare from schools following a series of woke campaigns to remove him over the years. 

But a defiant Ms Phillipson told The Sun: “Mark my words: Shakespeare is staying put. He is one of our most celebrated writers and his works will proudly remain a fixture in our classrooms for every child to study. 

“At the same time, we want to change parts of the school curriculum, so it better prepares youngsters for the world of work and gives them the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life. 

“That’s why the curriculum review I have set up wants to hear from parents and Sun readers about what it should include – we want to hear what you think.”

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Jacqui O’Hanlon said: “I definitely believe that Shakespeare’s work remains relevant to young people and their educational experience.

She added: “The richness of the texts, the complexity of the texts does have extraordinary relevance and resonance.”