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Written question asked by Lord Luce (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 5 December 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 December 2017. It was answered by Lord Agnew of Oulton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 December 2017 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Commonwealth: Curriculum

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to incorporate the history of the Commonwealth into the national curriculum.

Answer

The National Curriculum for history at Key Stage 2 states that pupils in maintained schools should study an aspect or theme in British history beyond 1066. This could be used by schools to teach about the Commonwealth. At Key Stage 3, pupils should study ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901. This could include the development of the British Empire.

Pupils at Key Stage 3 should also study the challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world from 1901 to the present day, which could include the end of Empire and Britain’s place in the world since 1945.

In Key Stage 4 citizenship education, pupils in maintained schools must be taught about the different electoral systems used in and beyond the UK, the actions that citizens can take in democratic and electoral processes to influence decisions, and the UK’s relations with the Commonwealth, the UN and the wider world.

Schools have the autonomy to decide how to teach, and many use modern technology as part of their teaching. We are looking at the role of government in supporting schools to have access to quality content and materials.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3892
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Curriculum Commonwealth History
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk