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Teach more British history, former Education Secretaries say

Published on May 17, 2025 at 09:00 PM

KIDS must learn more British history like the Battle of Waterloo, two former education secretaries say.

Labour’s David Blunkett and Tory have joined forces to back a drive to get more British taught at GCSE level.

Illustration of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Kids must learn more British history , pictured a painting of The Battle of Trafalgar
Painting of the Prussian attack on Plancenoit during the Battle of Waterloo.
An attack during the Battle of Waterloo, by Adolph Northen, 1864

Key moments in British history have been dropped from studies, an by Policy Exchange found.

The think tank found only 11 per cent of teaching the Battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo.

They called for a new paper to be introduced for all students taking history at GCSE covering British history from 1066 to 1989.

Mr Zahawi said it would ensure children have a “strong understanding”;; of Britain’s national story.

He added: “As a boy who arrived in this great country from Baghdad, I know how important it is that every child in this country – regardless of birth and background – has the opportunity to learn about Britain’s inspiring heritage.”;;

Lord Blunkett said: “Students clearly recognise the importance of a grasp of history.”;;

The report also found that over 85 per cent of secondary schools already teach the Norman Conquest, Magna Carta, Industrial Revolution, Slave Trade, colonialism and Britain’s roles in the World Wars in years 7 to 9.

But, the Wars of the Roses, the Act of Union and the Battle of Agincourt are taught by far fewer schools.

Portrait of Lord David Blunkett.
Lord David Blunkett – former Home Secretary and Education Secretary
Portrait of Nadhim Zahawi, former UK chancellor.
Nadhim Zahawi – former Chancellor and Education Secretary

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