Why are we letting schools fill kids' heads with guilt about history instead of pride? Seems like every other week there's some new curriculum point about how terrible this country is. It’s madness. Kids should be learning about the good things Britain has done, alongside the bad, not just dwelling on the negatives to the point where they think we're the worst nation on earth.
My proposal is simple: a new "British Achievements" curriculum to run alongside the existing history lessons. This wouldn't be about ignoring the difficult parts of our past, but it would actively teach about the scientific breakthroughs, the artistic contributions, the moments of great courage and innovation that have come from these islands. Think about the NHS, penicillin, Shakespeare, the suffragettes – real stuff that shaped the world for the better.
We need to get back to basics and foster a sense of belonging and national pride.
Adapted by 1 other party
Discussion (5)
Sign in to join the discussion. Debate and humour are both very welcome.
Mock the policy. Not the person. Community principles →
I've seen this play out in my own coffee shops, where customers from all walks of life come together and share their stories. For instance, I had a customer who was a descendant of a British Indian soldier who fought in World War II, and his story was one of both pride and struggle, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to teaching history.
But history isn't a facade you just slap on. If you only focus on the "good bits," you end up with something unstable. Think about how we build housing now. We have to meet stringent standards, considering insulation and airtightness, not just aesthetics. Ignoring the difficult parts of our past is like ignoring thermal bridging in a wall – it creates weak points that will eventually cause problems.