Introduction
Welcome, fellow educators, as we embark on a pioneering exploration through the forefronts of history, culture and education! Today, we’re thrilled to invite you to join us in a unique and timely research journey charting the contemporary landscapes of teaching about the British Empire, migration and belonging across England’s secondary schools.
Setting the scene
Picture this: in classrooms and corridors across the country, there are teachers teaching and young people learning about the history and legacies of Britain’s Empire in both formal and informal contexts and in a multitude of disparate ways. Zooming out a little wider: at the same time there’s a national conversation taking place. In it, politicians, protesters and public personalities offer competing perspectives on how this country should remember its imperial past and whether – let alone how – that past should be encountered in schools.
The uncharted territory
Yet how many of those commentators have recently been inside classroom? How many perhaps rely instead on anecdote, their own nostalgic memories or uniquely personal experiences in school? Indeed, how many teachers reliably know what colleagues beyond their own subject department might be doing, never mind teachers at the other end of the country, with access to different resources, or working with very different student interests and needs? To date, no one has ever attempted to answer these questions, at least not at a national level or on the basis of solid empirical research. But fear not! We’re here to change that. Because for us, hearing directly from those at the chalkface seems a crucially important place to start.
Introducing our survey
*Drumroll, please!* And so, we are excited to launch a survey designed specifically for you, the heroes of the classroom. This survey is your opportunity to share your own insights and expertise on teaching about the British Empire and related experiences of migration and belonging. And we want to hear from you whatever your subject background and irrespective of whether you feel you’ve got firsthand classroom experience in this area or not: we recognise that our project has set out to explore complex and far-reaching themes that a wide-range of teachers are likely to have uniquely personal thoughts or opinions about.
Why does it matter
Our schools play a pivotal role in shaping how the stories of the British Empire, migration and belonging are portrayed to the future citizens of our society. Understanding the context in which these topics are taught is vital if we want to really examine that role beyond the noisiest public discussion which typically relies on instinct, conjecture and anecdote.
Our survey, alongside a wider planned programme of research with teachers and school students, aims to create a robust empirical base. We want to document and share the variety of views and practices that exist in our schools, exploring the nuances of curriculum, policy, and community.
Lighting the path
But wait, there’s more! Once we’ve uncovered these gems of information, our research will set sail into the uncharted waters of identifying the most effective ways to support teachers like you. We’re not just studying the past; we’re hoping you will help us shape the future of education.
Now, we know discussing historical topics can sometimes feel like steering through a treacherous sea, but fear not, intrepid educators! Our analysis is intended precisely to shed shared light on the different courses colleagues across the country are currently charting to navigate this potentially challenging terrain. And the more teachers we hear from – and the wider the range of teaching contexts they describe – the more comprehensive and nuanced those way markers are likely to be.
Conclusion
So, dear teachers, get ready to be part of something historic! Your participation in our survey is not just answering questions; it’s contributing to a collective effort to enhance the way we teach and learn about the history of the British Empire and its complex legacies. Let’s make history together – in the classroom and beyond! Stay tuned for updates, and let the adventure begin!