It is enough to leave traditionalists spluttering into their tea - Harry Potter is about to be placed on Britain's school curriculum.
In a move bound to fuel "dumbing-down" accusations, sixth formers will be able to write a thesis on the fictitious boy wizard alongside their A-levels, thehead of the country's biggest exam board said yesterday.
The books by J K Rowling may have sold in their millions, but critics have sniped they are not as well written as they might be. Nevertheless, from next month, around 3000 students in more than 100 schools and colleges will be starting a new English baccalaureate which will invite students to complete a 5000-word essay answering the question, "Would Harry Potter have been so successful 30 years ago?"
The baccalaureate has been devised by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), in line with reforms suggested by the former chief inspector of schools Sir Mike Tomlinson. Negotiations are underway to see whether it can be awarded points to count towards university admission.
There is some comfort for traditionalists. Another of the questions will ask students to write about "the influence of Russian history on the writings of George Orwell". Pupils also need to complete community service, work experience and an AS-level to qualify for the extra qualification.
"It's developing skills that higher education and employers say they need," said Dr Mike Cresswell, chief executive of AQA.
