Did you grow up in the UK?

If so, can you think back to your history lessons at secondary school?

We are conducting a study to understand which parts of British history are being taught in secondary schools.

Some of the answers we have already received have been particularly niche and have included (but not limited to) how colour television revolutionised British society, how failures in policing methods during the time of Jack the Ripper meant he was able to evade capture, and the different factors in the construction of the Titanic that contributed to its sinking.

In our fight against extremism through education, we are working to make it compulsory for British secondary schools to teach (at least) one module on the British Empire and colonialism - a part of history which forms our national identity. A surprising number of people are not taught either of these.

Through this kind of educational reform, our goal is two fold:

1. to ensure young people understand how modern Britain was created and the role minorities have played in shaping it (including but not limited to Britain’s relationship to other nations, the part ethnic minorities have played in the post-war reconstruction of Britain, and migration between colonies;

2. for education to be representative of the diverse people that make up British society, ensuring we counter disenfranchisement and identity issues in young people.

You can learn more about our project here.

Thank you for taking the time to participate in our study. Together, change is possible.