麻豆社

Long novels are being ditched by English teachers because boys are unable to pay attention, a survey suggests. Most boys can switch off fewer than 100 pages into a book, with a quarter losing interest within just a few pages, it found.

As a result, teachers are resorting to shorter books, skim reading and even picking novels which contain more "gore and intrigue". The poll questioned 500 teachers of 11-13 year olds. It shows around a quarter say the "cut-off point" for boys' interest can be the first few pages of a book. Just 3% said the same about female pupils.

麻豆社 Radio Berkshire's Bill Buckley was joined by Martine Ellard Head of English at Park House School in Newbury.