A new “model curriculum” is intended to illustrate, in unusual detail, how a high-performing history department might set about teaching children aged 5-14
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskThe government has begun promoting a plan to improve history lessons for all children aged 5-14. A panel of experts will cook up a new “model curriculum” for history in England, to be published in 2024. This document will not alter the national curriculum; instead the idea is to illustrate, in unusual detail, how a high-performing history department might set about meeting its requirements.
The idea of using model curriculums to influence what happens in schools is a newish fad. The government’s first such effort—a model curriculum for England’s music teachers—was published last year. Its 100-odd pages include lists of pop songs and classical music that the government thinks children should hear . The government seems to think that, though some schools are doing a good job of converting the national curriculum’s broad rules into zingy lessons, others need a lot more hand-holding.
Enthusiasm for model curriculums also reflects the fact that tweaking the national curriculum is no longer very appealing. The government needs Parliament’s approval to change that. And academies, which do not have to follow it, now make up nearly half of England’s schools. In theory model curriculums are also ignorable, but in practice they demand attention.
Decisions about what goes into the new history curriculum are a way off, but the arguments have already begun. Some warn that the exercise risks capture by “woke” academics, who will pack lessons with sombre moralising. Others reckon the risk skews the other way: a model curriculum that aims to stoke patriotism among minorities while swerving uncomfortable questions. The government has yet to announce who it has recruited to its panel of experts.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Prinny’ is no role model for a regent Charles👑 As the Queen continues to hand over sovereign powers to her eldest son, Charles will be hoping to fare better than the vain and spendthrift heir to George III
Read more »
Sabotage and pistols - was Ellen Willmott gardening's ‘bad girl’?History has portrayed horticulturalist Ellen Willmott as a rude saboteur - but new evidence suggests otherwise.
Read more »
Black history: Can school curriculum help curb racism?Onyx Uwandulu says her school days were 'traumatising' and the right education could help.
Read more »
Ukraine war diaries: 'COVID was just our war rehearsal'Ukraine War Diaries hears first-hand from those caught up on Europe's new frontline.
Read more »
New York show explores the legacy of Black women in visual culture‘Black Venus’, curated by Aindrea Emelife and on view at Fotografiska New York, is a cross-generational survey of the Black female body. Through the work of 17 international artists, the show c...
Read more »
Stranger Things Villain Vecna Has a Deep Dungeons & Dragons HistoryHere's everything you need to know about Vecna, a classic Dungeons & Dragons monster, before watching Stranger Things season 4
Read more »