PolicyWISE report calls on how history education reflects identity

A new Wise in 5 policy briefing published this month offers a concise comparative analysis of how history is taught in schools across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The snapshot report finds substantial differences in curriculum design, national emphasis, and statutory requirements across the five education systems.

In England, history is structured around a statutory national curriculum that emphasises “British, local and world history,” and is compulsory until about age 14. By contrast, Wales’ curriculum embeds history within a broader humanities framework and is compulsory to age 16, reflecting a stronger focus on local identity and place. Scotland and Northern Ireland also situate history within wider social studies frameworks that prioritise skills and outcomes, while the Republic of Ireland’s junior cycle does not mandate history at the same age, even though most students choose to study it.

The briefing suggests that these differences are not simply administrative but reflect deeper questions about national identity and how societies choose to frame their past. It also notes emerging trends, including a growing emphasis on diversity and global perspectives in historical education across all nations.