The English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024) includes:

• a reduction in the number of outcomes from 9 to 6 in Years 11 and 12
• focus areas which replace modules and focus area content which replaces module descriptions
• a new structure that combines the previous syllabus’ outcomes and content with the focus area statement
  • each focus area now contains a descriptive paragraph and a series of content points under the headings ‘Understanding’ and ‘Responding’
• a structure where each focus area is aligned to all outcomes
  • all outcomes should therefore be addressed in each focus area
• changed content descriptions
  • the focus area headings are the same but teachers need to be aware that the focus area content descriptions are different
• a change to the mandatory assessment weighting in the Year 12 English Advanced school-based assessment
• the removal of a mandated multimodal presentation as part of the school-based Year 11 and 12 – English Advanced assessment requirements
• the removal of the requirement to integrate student selected related material into the ‘Texts and human experiences’ assessment task
• a change to text requirements in Year 12 with students now required to study 4 prescribed texts, with ONE drawn from each of the following categories
  • prose fiction
  • poetry
  • drama OR nonfiction OR film OR media
  • at least one of the texts selected must be authored by Shakespeare
• updated text requirements across Stage 6 which mandate the teaching of a range of texts from Australian authors including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors across Year 11–12
• the wording of the English Advanced performance band descriptions has changed slightly with minimal impact on meaning
• advice regarding Protocols for collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and engaging with Cultural works.
• removal of prescribed texts for the 'The craft of writing' focus area.

English content organisation image is from the English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024.

Prior to implementing the English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus, leaders will need to consider the following:

• budget implications for the purchasing of new texts in alignment with the release of the Prescriptions document for English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
• complexities of workload for staff and faculties preparing to teach multiple new Year 11–12 syllabuses including
  • the reading and preparation of new texts to support informed decision-making about the best pattern of texts for specific school contexts
• building teacher understanding about the changes to the organisation of the syllabus, including the new outcomes and focus area content, and the implications that this will have on programming
• resource and budget implications including
  • providing time for staff to engage with syllabus requirements and build their skills and understanding to effectively teach and plan for English Advanced 11–12 implementation from 2026
  • determining what resources are currently available to address new text requirements across Stage 6 and purchasing additional texts to address areas of need
  • purchasing texts for teacher professional learning and factoring in opportunities for teachers to attend professional learning
• exploring ways to adopt and adapt the sample materials provided by the department and curriculum materials developed in school to support consistency of syllabus enactment between mainstream and special education settings.

The English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus is based on evidence summarised in the bibliography published by NESA in the Teaching and learning support. This evidence highlights that:

• improving students’ writing is achieved through immersion with quality model texts, including an investigation of how authors use specific language forms and features to craft meaning
• interpretive reading practices that take context into account have a significant impact on the ways that students make meaning of literary texts
• exposure to a diverse range of increasingly complex textual experiences enhances learning in English
• the recursive writing process results in increased engagement and understanding and improved composition.

English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024.

• To what extent do staff understand the syllabus and the evidence underpinning the new syllabus?
• What school practices and systems are in place to support teacher professional learning?
• Which communities of practice does the school collaborate with to enhance teacher curriculum knowledge and pedagogy?
• Do staff have the skills and understanding to collaboratively undertake syllabus implementation?
  • What explicit systems are in place to foster collaboration?
• How has the school engaged with departmental resources and support for curriculum implementation, for example, Curriculum Reform Communities, curriculum resources, professional learning, and DEL network initiatives?
• How have change management considerations been embedded into the School Excellence Plan (SEP) to support teachers and sustain and strengthen curriculum implementation?
• To what extent do staff understand how the changes to the syllabus focus areas, text requirements and prescriptions will impact their programming?

• NSW Department of Education Planning, programming and assessing English 11–12
• NSW Department of Education English curriculum team 7–12 webpages
• NSW Department of Education Professional learning calendar and catalogue
• NESA English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024) Teaching and learning support
• NESA Introduction to the English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus video (3:36)
• Controversial issues in schools policy
• ACE Rules (2024) in effect from 14 October 2024