Whose story should we be telling? An exploration of student attitudes towards, and perceptions of, the British history curriculum

Abstract

Amid a growing national debate regarding the current health and future direction of the history curriculum in Britain, there have been numerous calls for an examination of its roles and purposes, and questions have been raised as to how far it engages an increasingly diverse student body. This article examines the perceptions and attitudes of students towards the history curriculum within the context of one secondary school in south-east England through an exploratory case study. The findings draw upon research undertaken with Year 9 students, through 105 completed questionnaires, and through focus group interviews conducted with 12 participants. Thematic analysis suggests that, although students very much value learning about British history, they would prefer a curriculum with a wider focus which incorporates broader global studies. Although the environment offered by the case study is not particularly socially diverse, there is evidence that some groups of students desire greater curriculum reform and inclusivity. As a case study, the results are not intended to be generalised outside of context, but merely to provide points of discussion regarding an area in which prior research has been somewhat limited.