From next September, Marcus Rashford’s progressive activism using social media will be added to the GCSE media studies curriculum. The Manchester United and England footballer’s social media campaign on free school meals not only sparked a national conversation, but also influenced government U-turns and actual policy change.
He continued his work advocating for children from lower-income households at home, helped improve disadvantaged children’s reading, partnered with Burberry to help fund local and international youth organisations, and propelled the conversation of racism in sport.
Pupils studying AQA media studies will be able to learn about Rashford’s online presence via social media platforms and how he influenced and successfully engaged his followers. They will also learn more about the social and race issues that coincided with the campaigns, and how social media enabled the message to be spread and subsequently impact societal debate.
The move is part of a wider effort by exam boards to diversify their qualifications to make them more relevant to kids in education today.
Sandra Allan, the head of AQA’s creative arts curriculum, said: “Marcus Rashford is one of the most influential and inspirational young people in the UK, so students can learn a huge amount from how he uses social media to make a real impact,” said Allan.
“It’s not just an opportunity for them to learn about social media – it’s also a great way to learn about important social and race issues as part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the curriculum.”
This is yet another success in the trailblazing activism of a national hero, who was once berated into ‘sticking to football’. Now, with this curriculum change, Marcus Rashford’s work will be cemented into the minds of the next generation, not just for his sporting achievements, but for advocating towards change that will create a better tomorrow.
