Unthinkable? British Isles writing for English readers

Editorial: There is a compelling case for English pupils to face more Scottish, Welsh and Irish literature

No, we have not banned To Kill a Mockingbird

Elizabeth Truss: You might think a government saying that pupils need to study a wider range of more challenging authors would be welcomed. Instead we received a broadside

GCSE English literature row: Don’t blame Gove, blame me

Jonathan Bate: I was part of the board of experts who recommended that government broaden what has been a very narrow English literature syllabus

Angelou and Steinbeck replaced by Ishiguro and Syal in new English GCSE exams

Changes follow the government's reshaping of the English literature exam syllabus, removing the category of prose from different cultures and replacing it with modern works from Britain

AQA set texts for English GCSE plumbs new depths of cultural incoherence

Robert McCrum: AQA boss Andrew Hall says 'we can't please everyone' - but he might have done some basic homework before sitting the exam

Michael Gove hits back in row over GCSE syllabus

Education secretary claims exam boards are being asked to broaden, not narrow, the GCSE English literature curriculum

Michael Gove should not kill the Mockingbird

Anna Hartnell: Taking Harper Lee's novel off the GCSE syllabus ignores the modern British sense of identity

To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men axed as Gove orders more Brit lit

New English literature GCSE ditches American classics for pre-20th century British authors such as Dickens and Austen

John Westergaard obituary

Sociologist who championed the study of class inequality

Simply English: An A-Z of Avoidable Errors review – a welcome visit from the grammar police

Simon Heffer remains readable while putting us straight on usage, writes Ben East

What should be on the A-level syllabus?

Is including Russell Brand in the reading list a "rubbish" idea or total genius? Tell us what you think should be on the reading list

Tom Welsh obituary

Editor, trainer of journalists and authority on media law

If it was a ‘tough choice’ to cut my job, then come and tell the children why

Dave Pickering: Thanks to austerity, many kids in Enfield will now be missing my songs and stories – but it's the poorest who will miss them most

Educating Essex head on inspiring teachers… and designing toilets

Vic Goddard of Passmores academy on his new book – part memoir and part how-to guide for aspiring heads – and his favourite part of his school building

HowTheLightGetsIn 2014: philosophy, music and thought for all

Festival director Hilary Lawson reveals what to expect at the philosophy and music festival, and how the event will challenge assumptions. Interview by Tom Lamont