1. Ben Walsh Introduction
2. Simon Schama Introduction

 

Television historian and academic Simon Schama chaired the at times explosive and thought provoking debate on ‘What sort of history should school history be?'

Professor Simon Schama is one the UK's top historians and is currently Michael Gove's choice to head up the Government's committee into changing the History curriculum in schools. It will be Schama's job to advise the coalition government on what our young people will learn of our country's past for the next few decades.

On the panel were five history teachers from English primary and secondary schools. And in the audience of around 500 were teachers, academics, NGO's, and members of the general public.

In addition to chairing the debate between the panellists Schama skilfully drew in the audience, taking opinions and additional questions from the floor. On more than one occasion he asked additional questions which appeared to be for his own understanding of what changes might be needed as well as to further the debate.

One of the most contentious areas for discussion was the future of GCSE's and the place of narrative in history teaching.

A number of the panellists and Schama referred to the HA's annual surveys of teachers. In one instance the HA's findings that history was being removed and downgraded in many academies was born out be a teacher in the audience who said he had left an academy for that very reason.

The only disappointment to the evening was that they ran out of time for all the questions. Schama certainly left knowing far more about the state of history in schools and many of the wishes, opinions and experiences of history professionals.