Professor Francis O’Gorman on the Today programme
Professor Francis O’Gorman discussed the role of classic works of literature in children’s education live, rebutting recent comments made by Education Secretary Michael Gove.
Mr. Gove has said that he hopes to put English literature to the heart of education, and has devised a list of classic works he believes is "every child's birth right", including literary giants such as Dryden, Pope, Swift, Byron, Keats, Shelley and Austen.
However, speaking to John Humphreys, Professor O'Gorman described Mr. Gove's comments as a "straw man" argument and said that it remains vital that literature taught in school is accessible to all.
Professor O'Gorman was joined in the discussion by teacher Francis Gilbert.
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