July 1, 2013

Schoolchildren to Study Churchill in Overhaul of History Curriculum

Celia_SandysClick on Photo for video of Celia Sandys discussing the study of her grandfatherLondon, 5 July:  Education Secretary Michael Gove is set to announce an extensive overhaul of the history taught to British schoolchildren that explicitly restores Winston Churchill and other famous Britons to the curriculum starting in the autumn of next year. Churchill’s name and those of many other historical figures were previously deleted during a controversial overhaul in 2007 that led to cries of “dumbing down” education. Under the new requirements students age 11 to 14 will study key figures such as Henry VIII and Queen Victoria along with Churchill’s leadership during the Second World War. Ministers believe the new course of study will prepare children with the core knowledge needed to proceed with higher-level studies and the workplace.

Students age 7 to 11 will study British history from the Stone Age up to 1066 while those age 11 to 14 will study from the Norman Conquest to the present. Churchill’s grand-daughter, Celia Sandys, was interviewed by the Daily Telegraph about what she believes students can learn from studying her grand-father’s life.  To watch the video, please CLICK HERE.  Students will balance their studies of British history by examining other world cultures.  Cambridge University Professor David Abulafia said: “While keeping the British Isles at the center of attention, it places Britain in its wider context.”  As Churchill himself put it: “Study history.  Study history. In history lie all the secrets of statecraft.”

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