Pupils to study at least 15 poems in new English GCSEs It says that courses should include a representation of Romantic poetry, which grew in the mid- to late 18th century and was characterised by a reverence for the natural world, idealism and emotions. Syllabuses are likely to cover the best-known Romantic poets such as William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats. The new English literature GCSE will also require pupils to study at least one Shakespeare play, a Victorian novel and modern British fiction or drama since 1914. Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, insisted that English courses should encourage students to read "high-quality texts across a range of genres and periods," making sure they can "read, write and think critically." On Friday, the DfE published new syllabuses in the core GCSE subjects - English literature, English language and mathematics. The reformed language course places a greater emphasis on using Standard English and employing correct spelling, punctuation and grammar, while the maths GCSE requires pupils to learn formulae by heart - scrapping the existing system in which they are presented with key facts in the exam paper. New courses will be taught in schools from 2015, with the first exams being sat in 2017. The content of other GCSE subjects will be released in the new year. An overhaul of courses comes on top of major structural changes to GCSEs outlined by Ofqual, the exams watchdog. This includes a numerical grading system from one to nine and less emphasis on coursework. Announcing the reforms, Mr Gove said: "I have prioritised English and mathematics because they are both fundamental to facilitating learning in other subjects. [International] evidence demonstrates that 15-year-olds in nine other countries are, on average, at least half a year ahead of students in England in both reading and mathematics. Reform of these key subjects is, therefore, a matter of pressing urgency. Currently, pupils can sit GCSEs in English language, English literature or a combined literature and language course. From 2015, the Government will scrap the combined course and require all pupils to sit a GCSE in English language. Strong incentives will be introduced to league tables to encourage all pupils to take a literature GCSE at the same time. The new English language GCSE will require pupils to: Write effectively and coherently using Standard English; Use grammar correctly and ensure written work features accurate spelling and punctuation; Read a range of literature from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries in preparation for an "unseen" text exam; Familiarise themselves with non-fiction and other writing such as essays, reviews and journalism (print and online). The maths syllabus with be around a third bigger than current requirements, with greater coverage of key areas such as ratio, proportion and rates of change. Pupils will be required to apply their knowledge and reasoning to provide clear mathematical arguments, it emerged. Currently, pupils are given a formulae sheet in GCSE exams - covering topics such as the area and volume of various shapes - but this will be scrapped in future tests. It will require pupils to learn key formulae by heart. Mr Gove said: "It will focus on ensuring that every student masters the fundamental mathematics that is required for further education and future careers. It will provide greater challenge for the most able students by thoroughly testing their understanding of the mathematical knowledge needed for higher level study and careers in mathematics, the sciences and computing.