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1/11
Changing the Scottish History curriculum has been a major point of discussion in recent weeks. But this is not as simple an issue as people often think. This thread is designed to explain a bit more, and promote discussion too.
Changing the Scottish History curriculum has been a major point of discussion in recent weeks. But this is not as simple an issue as people often think. This thread is designed to explain a bit more, and promote discussion too.
2/11
Current situation: there is not actually a national History curriculum in Scotland. At various stages in S1-S6 pupils have the opportunity to study topics such as the slave trade, but there is no compulsion that this must happen.
Current situation: there is not actually a national History curriculum in Scotland. At various stages in S1-S6 pupils have the opportunity to study topics such as the slave trade, but there is no compulsion that this must happen.
3/11
History (like all subjects) has limited time. And in that time you could feasibly cover ANY event in human history. In Scotland only S1/S2 pupils definitely study History, after that it is their choice, so this further limits time.
History (like all subjects) has limited time. And in that time you could feasibly cover ANY event in human history. In Scotland only S1/S2 pupils definitely study History, after that it is their choice, so this further limits time.
4/11
Introducing a national History curriculum might seem an obvious thing to do. But it raises lots of questions. What would be in it? How much Scottish History versus the rest of the world? And who would decide all of this?
Introducing a national History curriculum might seem an obvious thing to do. But it raises lots of questions. What would be in it? How much Scottish History versus the rest of the world? And who would decide all of this?
5/11
There is also bureaucracy involved in this. Scotland’s schools work under the Curriculum for Excellence model. This covers all subjects, so it cannot just be changed for one subject. Even if it could, there is a financial and time obstacle to doing so e.g. making resources.
There is also bureaucracy involved in this. Scotland’s schools work under the Curriculum for Excellence model. This covers all subjects, so it cannot just be changed for one subject. Even if it could, there is a financial and time obstacle to doing so e.g. making resources.
6/11
Sometimes the kneejerk reaction is to say that a fixed national curriculum is good. However the people arguing this view often assume that their chosen topic would be a major part of such a curriculum, which may end up being wrong.
Sometimes the kneejerk reaction is to say that a fixed national curriculum is good. However the people arguing this view often assume that their chosen topic would be a major part of such a curriculum, which may end up being wrong.
7/11
This might also have a negative impact on aspects of History teaching. Schools across Scotland are all different; there might be a reason one school studies one topic whilst another doesn’t, including teacher expertise. This could all be lost under a set national curriculum.
This might also have a negative impact on aspects of History teaching. Schools across Scotland are all different; there might be a reason one school studies one topic whilst another doesn’t, including teacher expertise. This could all be lost under a set national curriculum.
8/11
It is possible to introduce certain themes into schools, outwith a fixed curriculum; Holocaust Memorial Day is an obvious example. But there is also a danger that such an approach can be a bit tokenistic and not a truly embedded topic.
It is possible to introduce certain themes into schools, outwith a fixed curriculum; Holocaust Memorial Day is an obvious example. But there is also a danger that such an approach can be a bit tokenistic and not a truly embedded topic.
9/11
And of course there is the issue that History on its own doesn’t have to teach History issues; other subjects like English and Modern Studies might do so too. But this takes us back to the start and the complications involved in changing the entire Curriculum for Excellence.
And of course there is the issue that History on its own doesn’t have to teach History issues; other subjects like English and Modern Studies might do so too. But this takes us back to the start and the complications involved in changing the entire Curriculum for Excellence.
10/11
One issue in this debate is that people often judge History teaching from their own experience, which might be 20+ years out of date. History teaching in 2020 will be different from in 1990; that partly reflects academic historians' recent work and what this has taught us.
One issue in this debate is that people often judge History teaching from their own experience, which might be 20+ years out of date. History teaching in 2020 will be different from in 1990; that partly reflects academic historians' recent work and what this has taught us.
11/11
So by all means let’s have a debate about what History should be taught in schools – but only if done with an understanding of what this might involve. And whatever the outcome, it shouldn’t be the end of the debate, which should always be ongoing.
So by all means let’s have a debate about what History should be taught in schools – but only if done with an understanding of what this might involve. And whatever the outcome, it shouldn’t be the end of the debate, which should always be ongoing.
@glasgow_sugar @kierantaylor67 @matthewlee2 @marieehernandez @SATHinfo @MrSherryHistory @mrfitzpatrick1 @SirGeoffPalmer @ChristineHWhyte @Rokewood
Oh, and one final thought. It’s important that whatever teaching model we have we understand that no school History course can ever possibly leave all pupils with a permanent and encyclopaedic knowledge of the entire subject. People also have to read and learn their whole lives.
