GCSE pupils to study Marcus Rashford’s use of social media
GCSE media studies students will learn about footballer Marcus Rashford’s use of social media for the first time following his influential charitable work and his stance against racism in sport.
Exam board AQA has added the Manchester United and England player to the course from this month following his increasing profile and influence on a series of social issues during the pandemic.
The new addition to the GCSE course is part of the exam board’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. AQA is also setting up an expert group to consider representation in the curriculum and assessment.
Rashford launched a campaign to persuade the Government to provide free meals to vulnerable pupils in
England throughout the school holidays during the pandemic, forcing a series of Government U-turns. In May, the 23-year-old highlighted the torrent of racist messages he had received on social media after Manchester United’s Europa League final loss.
In July, Rashford said he was sorry for his missed penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy but said he will “never apologise” for who he is after he suffered racist abuse on social media. Rashford has used social media to promote his campaigns on child food poverty, as well as ensuring all pupils have access to books. He became the youngest person to top the Sunday Times Giving List by raising £20 million in donations from supermarkets.