I would like to crave the indulgence of the mods in posting this item up here in Historic; especially as the topic could impact on any museum that is delivering aviation, World War I, II etc. as an education activity. Here it will get more ‘air’.
I know that the topic of the National Curriculum / History etc. has been mooted about these parts before, with a wide range of views about how the topic is delivered. However earlier today I received the following email from the Association of Independent Museums (AIM).
“HISTORY CURRICULUM CHANGES CAMPAIGN
AIM is strongly opposed to the government’s proposals to remove Victorian and early 20th century history from Key Stage 2 History. This will have a damaging affect on children’s learning and appreciation of history. It will also prevent children from enjoying museum visits and being inspired by history at this important time in their education because earlier periods are represented in far fewer museum collections and at historic sites.
WHAT IS PROPOSED
Under the proposed curriculum changes 18th, 19th, and 20th century history (including the First and Second World Wars) would no longer be covered in primary schools at Key Stage 2. Instead these would form part of Key Stage 3 taught at secondary school level.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
18th, 19th and 20th century history was a transformational period which saw widespread social, scientific and technological change which shaped present day society. Young people relate more easily to this period, and it is well represented in most museum collections, providing a powerful and popular teaching resource that can be easily accessed by schools as a day visit.
By contrast earlier periods are less well represented and opportunities for out of classroom teaching will therefore be limited, effectively excluding children from high quality learning experiences.
Secondary school timetables and teaching systems reduce the number of out of classroom visits dramatically. Most visits are from primary school children. This age group is the most accessible and the most receptive to museum visits, making it likely that many children will simply not visit our wonderful museums and heritage sites at any stage during their schooling
Out of classroom teaching provides an invaluable learning experience. This has long been recognised by the Department of Education, DCMS and the teaching profession as stimulating the effectiveness and quality of learning.
Primary school children would be taught almost nothing that happened after the year 1688. This is a rigid and artificial cut off date.
There has in recent years been a massive public and lottery investment in developing learning resources in museums in response to the current Key Stage 2 curriculum needs of schools. The proposed changes would result in much of this investment being lost.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
AIM is urging museums that will be affected by the proposed changes to take action now. We urge the government to reconsider how this reform is implemented so that more recent history experiences remain available at KS1 and KS2 and young people benefit from all the learning opportunities that arise in our museums.
1. Respond to the consultation by 16th April at: http://tinyurl.com/aknu9vg
2. Write to your local MP expressing your concerns. Find your MP here: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/
3. Invite your MP to visit your museum to see a teaching session with a local primary school.
4. Encourage primary schools that regularly use your museum as a resource for Key Stage 2 Victorian and modern history to write to their local MP.
5. Contact your local press and arrange a photo opportunity with the local school that has written to their MP.
6. Share your concerns online via your website, blog, Twitter and Facebook and invite your followers to contribute to the discussion.
7. Join the discussion on the AIM Web Forum: http://www.aim-museums.co.uk.
8. Send us any evidence of support from schools, including quotes that we might be able to use in our campaign. Please send to Sam Hunt at: henleymanor (at) btinternet.com.
AIM is a national charitable organisation that connects, supports and represents independent museums, galleries and heritage organisations across the UK. Our membership ranges from voluntarily run community organisations to some of the largest museums in the country. We speak on behalf of a substantial and growing sector of the museums and heritage community, providing an independent viewpoint based on operational and business experience of running successful enterprises.”
I hope that one or two of you might be willing to start a bit of lobbying!
By: TwinOtter23 - 18th March 2013 at 08:06
One of the most popular activities that I currently deliver for school visits at KS-2 at Newark Air Museum is World War II / Evacuation – this is part of the National Curriculum. Some regions may deliver this in different ways.
I have just signed off a Schools Activity Development Plan with a project mentor from RAFM Cosford for the next two years as part of the AHL-ACE funded education project, which could potentially be at risk from the proposed changes.
The following link provides an example of the scope of the aviation / education resources that could be in danger from the changes http://www.ahleducation.org.uk/resources.html 🙁
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th March 2013 at 07:06
There are differences as I did not learn about World War Two until Secondary school and that involved a trip to Duxford and a screening of the Battle of Britain which the kids thought it was great when the German gunners eyes explode but nowadays they don’t do that.
I remember we did 1 term on the horrors of trench warfare then the rest of the year on the rise of Hitler and Versailles etc, ironically when I did my GCSE in history the question was on the effect of the battle of Jutland which we never covered at all !!!!
Curlyboy
By: Kipperooni - 18th March 2013 at 04:50
There must be big differences in the National Curriculum across the country as my daughter was taught about World War II last year, at 8 years old. She was thoroughly engaged with it and was coming home asking lots of questions. Her year even went into school dressed up as evacuee’s on one day. There were paintings done by the children up in the classrooms of the ‘Blitz’ and posters of aeroplanes:D
I was never taught about either World War when I was at school (1978-1990):(
By: PeterVerney - 17th March 2013 at 16:59
To hell with all this molly coddling ;);) when I went to school the silly ******s were fighting over our heads disturbing our valuable lessons, so I learnt nuffin. :D:D
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th March 2013 at 15:07
Traumatising! Blimey when I was 12/13 in 1976 the entire school, regardless of whether they were studying history or not, were led into the school hall to be shown the “World at War” “Genocide” episode.
Same here but schools don’t like teaching modern war as the children are ‘too young’ to comprehend it which is total rubbish, maybe it is the PC mob at it again?
Curlyboy
By: David_Kavangh - 17th March 2013 at 14:25
It is a shame how history is being taught as my Niece is 13 and her school does not teach World War Two until next year as it is considered too traumatising to cover until they reach a certain age.
Traumatising! Blimey when I was 12/13 in 1976 the entire school, regardless of whether they were studying history or not, were led into the school hall to be shown the “World at War” “Genocide” episode.
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th March 2013 at 14:02
It is a shame how history is being taught as my Niece is 13 and her school does not teach World War Two until next year as it is considered too traumatising to cover until they reach a certain age.
This is stupid as she has no idea of the Battle of Britain or anything to do with that period but she does know lots about cave men and stone tools while part of our history it is not a very relavent period now.
Curlyboy
By: TwinOtter23 - 17th March 2013 at 13:53
Already encapsulated in the statement above:
“WHY DOES IT MATTER?
18th, 19th and 20th century history was a transformational period which saw widespread social, scientific and technological change which shaped present day society. Young people relate more easily to this period, and it is well represented in most museum collections, providing a powerful and popular teaching resource that can be easily accessed by schools as a day visit.
By contrast earlier periods are less well represented and opportunities for out of classroom teaching will therefore be limited, effectively excluding children from high quality learning experiences.
Secondary school timetables and teaching systems reduce the number of out of classroom visits dramatically. Most visits are from primary school children. This age group is the most accessible and the most receptive to museum visits, making it likely that many children will simply not visit our wonderful museums and heritage sites at any stage during their schooling
Out of classroom teaching provides an invaluable learning experience. This has long been recognised by the Department of Education, DCMS and the teaching profession as stimulating the effectiveness and quality of learning.
Primary school children would be taught almost nothing that happened after the year 1688. This is a rigid and artificial cut off date.
There has in recent years been a massive public and lottery investment in developing learning resources in museums in response to the current Key Stage 2 curriculum needs of schools. The proposed changes would result in much of this investment being lost.”
Where I volunteer Primary School visits out number Secondary School visits by a ratio of 10 to 1 – an example of the investment comes from projects like this, which has only just started!
As far as funding goes, currently to secure Heritage Lottery funding a project has to have a significant education component to start ticking the right boxes; by taking out the high number of primary school visits it will become more difficult to secure HLF funding.
One point of note: this doesn’t just apply to aviation, World War I etc. it’s any history after the year 1688!
By: John Green - 17th March 2013 at 12:36
There doesn’t seem to be that much of a problem. All that is being mooted is a postponement of the learning process – surely ?
A child of any age – provided its learning interest is stimulated – will learn.
In the face of so much competition for a child’s interest, museums are fortunate that they continue to attract. My comment to Curators everywhere, would be to make your displays as attention-getting as you can, and go around the local schools explaining what you’ve got to offer.
Are there any implicit funding issues ?
By: TwinOtter23 - 17th March 2013 at 09:25
This seems to be another policy change that was in danger of slipping under the radar, but I believe that it is something that needs bringing to everyone’s attention.
Facilitated school visits, with young people typically up to the age of eleven are one of the most rewarding things that I undertake at Newark – they’re like little sponges, so keen to hear stories about aviation, flight etc., and that could all soon go for children of that age group! 😡
I’ve already started to prepare my submission to the consultation process and I have also made lots of other organisations aware of the proposed changes; local MPs have also been ‘lined-up’ for contact. I just hope that we’re not too late. Otherwise many organisations across the country are going to lose the opportunity of engaging with these young people!
By: Radpoe Meteor - 17th March 2013 at 06:03
Twin Otter, thanks for the heads up on this one- I often think that politicians neglect history deliberately IMO – which is a shame as we & esspecially they, could all learn a thing or two from past mistakes.
I’m sure there is an old saying that you should keep one eye on the future, but the other on the past.
regards Rad
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March 11, 2013 at 6:44 pm