Wise up: 5 key points to takeaway from our Wise in 5: History in Schools

Our history lessons are never just a straight forward account of the past. They are based on carefully constructed ideas which shape our sense of who we are and how we understand our place in the world. Education is a devolved matter and the way that history is taught varies significantly across the UK and Ireland. 

From the briefing, there are five key points from what we’ve learnt the Wise in 5 History in Schools, which could be considered as part of further policy development and delivery in any or all of the nations. Five key points from what we’ve learnt above, which could be considered as part of further policy development and delivery in any or all of the nations. 

1. History is compulsory in different ways across each nation. England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland require that history is studied until 14, while Wales extends this until 16 (though students do not have to be formally examined on the subject). Ireland stands apart, history is not compulsory at secondary school (though it appears that most students still choose to study it). 

2. Most nations favour outcomes-based frameworks, with Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland focusing on skills, concepts, and broad learning outcomes, giving schools flexibility in topic selection. England is the exception, prescribing historical content as part of its key stage three curriculum. 

3. There is a growing emphasis on diversity and global perspectives. All nations show increasing awareness of the importance of inclusive histories – including for the teaching of empire, migration, and slavery. All also encourage students to explore local, national, and global interconnections. 

4. Curriculum designs reflect national narratives – with curricula more shaped around the local and ideas of belonging, identity and citizenship in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland, and in England content is more geared towards ideas of Britishness rather than England-specifically. This looks set to shift with the latest curriculum review for England calling for more local histories to be taught in the classroom. 

5. Devolution allows for innovation and responsiveness to local contexts but could also create complexity for cross-border understanding. More comparative policy research could help bridge any gaps and encourage collaboration between educators across different nations.