English colleges are failing to show about main occasions in British historical past together with the battles of Agincourt, Trafalgar and Waterloo. A serious report sounds the alarm about pupils lacking out on key moments within the story of this nation.
Freedom of Information requests to almost 250 state secondary colleges and an evaluation of examination board info discovered “fewer than one in five schools” train the Battle of Agincourt – with “only 11% teaching the Battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo”. Less than half (49%) taught pupils concerning the Glorious Revolution.
Celebrated historian Lord Roberts – identified for his landmark biographies of Napoleon and Churchill – mentioned kids have to be taught the historical past of the nation “in a manner that seeks to do more than simply inculcate shame about our past”.
Writing within the introduction to the Policy Exchange report, he mentioned: “It ought to be the birthright of English pupils to learn the story of their nation and the manner in which it has shaped and been shaped by its interactions with the wider world. Teaching the long narrative arc of British history in a manner that enables young people to orientate themselves, both historically and within our modern society, is only becoming more essential as our nation becomes more diverse and culturally fragmented.”
School historical past, he added, should reject “ideological one-sidedness and the imposition of faddish prejudices on men and women who led complex but enthralling lives”.
The researchers are additionally involved concerning the lack of world historical past studied by pupils. While six out of 10 GCSE college students have lessons on the Tudors, with barely extra finding out “health” by time and greater than three in 4 studying about Nazi Germany, just one p.c studied China.
The suppose tank recommends a brand new “British history survey paper” needs to be launched as a core requirement for all college students taking historical past at GCSE.
Zachary Marsh, the lead creator of the report, mentioned that if this coated the years between 1066 and 1989 it might “give all students vital jumping off points in their historical knowledge and break the endless cycle of studying the Tudors and Nazi Germany at GCSE and A Level”.
Former Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi mentioned: “As a boy who arrived in this great country from Baghdad, I know how important it is that every child in this country – regardless of birth and background – has the opportunity to learn about Britain’s inspiring heritage.”
Former Schools Minister Sir Nick Gibb mentioned “too many pupils are never exposed to the full chronological breadth of British history”.
He mentioned: “It cannot be right that a pupil could achieve a ‘9’ in GCSE History and yet never have heard of the Glorious Revolution or the Act of Union.”
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson mentioned: “While no nation has a flawless history, we should take pride in our legacy of success, hospitality, and generosity. When called upon to fight, we have prevailed – and then helped rebuild the nations we once stood against.
“We have welcomed asylum seekers, delivered humanitarian aid across the globe, and provided food and water to countries in need. Teaching our history to the next generation is essential – not only to foster patriotism, but to unite our country around the one thing we all share: our British identity.”
A Department for Education spokesperson mentioned: “High and rising standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start. The independent, expert-led Curriculum and Assessment review is considering how to ensure young people have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that ensures young people leave school ready for work and ready for life.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2056405/english-children-not-taught-agincourt