Teach more British history, former Education Secretaries say
KIDS must learn more British history like the Battle of Waterloo, two former education secretaries say.
Labour’s David Blunkett and Tory Nadhim Zahawi have joined forces to back a drive to get more British history taught at GCSE level.
Key moments in British history have been dropped from studies, an investigation by Policy Exchange found.
The think tank found only 11 per cent of schools teaching the Battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo.
They called for a new paper to be introduced for all students taking history at GCSE covering British history from 1066 to 1989.
Mr Zahawi said it would ensure children have a “strong understanding” of Britain’s national story.
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He added: “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."
Lord Blunkett said: “Students clearly recognise the importance of a grasp of history.”
The report also found that over 85 per cent of secondary schools already teach the Norman Conquest, Magna Carta, Industrial Revolution, Slave Trade, colonialism and Britain’s roles in the World Wars in years 7 to 9.
But, the Wars of the Roses, the Act of Union and the Battle of Agincourt are taught by far fewer schools.
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