As the United Kingdom prepares for a significant overhaul of its national curriculum, US education leaders are turning their attention to the planned reforms, hoping to draw lessons on how to address historical biases in the classroom. In a move that could reshape the teaching of history, education groups in the UK have called for a re-evaluation of how the British Empire is portrayed in schools. This comes as part of a broad curriculum review set to be published in early 2025. The US, grappling with similar concerns over diversity and representation in education, is keenly watching how the UK tackles these issues, as many of the challenges they face are strikingly similar.
The UK’s Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has promised a “root-and-branch” review that aims to breathe new life into what she has described as an outdated curriculum. The review, which will include input from nearly 70 leading education organisations, will look at everything from primary school to post-18 education. The proposed changes are expected to address long-standing concerns about the way colonialism and migration history are taught. For US educators, the developments across the Atlantic could offer valuable insights as they look to make their own curriculum more inclusive and reflective of a diverse society.
UK curriculum overhaul sparks global debate
The British Empire has long been a central theme in UK history education, but critics have argued that the current portrayal too often focuses on its supposed greatness, glossing over the negative impact it had on colonised nations. As reported by GB News, the Bell Foundation, a charity that supports multilingual children’s education, has called for a shift away from celebrating the British Empire’s legacy. The foundation recommends updating history and geography lessons to avoid reinforcing biased narratives and to include a more diverse range of perspectives.
This call for reform has resonated beyond the UK. In the US, where debates over how to teach the nation’s own history—particularly around slavery and Native American issues—continue to make headlines, there is growing interest in adopting similar approaches. Education experts in the US have praised the UK’s review for prioritising inclusivity and racial awareness in teaching history, with many arguing that American students could benefit from similar updates to their own curriculum.
Climate change and financial literacy: expanding the curriculum’s scope
Beyond history, the UK’s education overhaul also highlights the need to adapt the curriculum to address modern global challenges. The Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank, has argued for mandatory education on race, migration, and the British Empire, while climate change has emerged as another pressing issue. Several education groups, including the Wildlife and Countryside Link, have urged for environmental sustainability to be embedded across all subjects, advocating for outdoor learning as a means of engaging students with real-world challenges.
In the US, these calls are echoed by groups pushing for more emphasis on climate education and financial literacy. The Investing and Saving Alliance, for instance, has highlighted the need for mandatory financial education, warning that many young people are unprepared for the realities of managing their finances. These topics, alongside history, are increasingly seen as essential components of a well-rounded education in both the UK and the US.
Looking ahead: A more inclusive and forward-thinking curriculum
As the UK’s curriculum review moves forward, it is clear that the focus is not only on revising history but also on preparing students for the challenges of the future. By adopting a more inclusive, diverse, and relevant curriculum, both the UK and the US aim to ensure that students are better equipped to navigate an interconnected, rapidly changing world. With both countries facing similar educational challenges, the upcoming UK review could serve as an important blueprint for reform in US classrooms.
