When will our children be taught about their country and it's people, past and identity? A lack of historical knowledge about ones own country and culture leaves a gaping hole which can be filled with new immigrant history and culture at the sake of ones own identity. As can be seen with our History now being taught with Geography/Humanities as a combined subject.
"Research shows that rising numbers of pupils are receiving just two years of compulsory lessons during secondary education instead of the recommended three because of pressure on school timetables.
According to figures, many schools fail to offer history as a discreet subject at all – often merging it with geography to form generic “humanities” lessons.
It also emerged that some head teachers ban pupils from choosing history at GCSE-level amid fears they will fail to gain good grades – damaging schools’ league table rankings.
The disclosure is made in a study by the Historical Association that will raise fresh fears over the future of the subject in English state schools.
It follows the publication of separate figures this summer showing that the overall proportion of pupils studying the subject in state comprehensives dropped by almost a fifth under Labour.
The Coalition is attempting to reverse the decline by introducing the controversial “English Baccalaureate” – a school leaving certificate that rewards pupils who gain good GCSEs in traditional academic disciplines. To qualify, teenagers must score C grades in five subjects, including history or geography.
But the latest study suggests the reforms have made “little impression so far”.
The Historical Association surveyed teachers in 403 secondary schools and colleges as part of an annual poll.
Currently, pupils are supposed to take history throughout Key Stage 3 – the first three years of secondary education – before being allowed to drop it at GCSE aged around 14.
But the study found 11.7 per cent of schools now squeezed Key Stage 3 into just two years to give pupils more time on their GCSE studies. This compares with 10.5 per cent a year earlier.
Researchers said almost a quarter of schools failed to teach history as a separate subject at all. In many cases, schools offered it as part of combined humanities classes, alongside geography.
One-in-five schools also said the amount of history taught to first year pupils had been cut this year compared with 2010.
In a further conclusion, some 16 per cent of schools said they put “restrictions” on the number of pupils who could study GCSEs in history, with poor performers often pushed onto alternative courses or vocational qualifications.
“In some cases, the cut-off was defined in statistical terms, with the lowest ability group being barred or only the top sets offered the opportunity,” said the study."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8774758/History-lessons-squeezed-out-of-crowded-timetables.html
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