NationStates Jolt Archive

Schools in England should teach "core British values" alongside cultural diversity, a report says.

[...]

The report, by Sir Keith Ajegbo, says pupils should study free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights.

[...]

Welcoming the report, Mr Johnson announced it would become compulsory for secondary school pupils up to the age of 16 to learn about shared values and life in the UK in their citizenship lessons.


Full article here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6294643.stm).

Which brings up that fascinating topic: What is "Britishness"?

And, in this context, how does one "teach" it?

Tea, funny hats, battleships and fox hunting.

Core Values, that's funny. What are core values?

What's the curriculum? Will they teach how to drink tea and watch soccer?

Christ...

God I feel lucky. Having got British citizenship just before the Britishness test came in and having left school just before the Britishness lessons came in.

It's not a bad idea to teach children about politics and social ethics (like what freedom of speech is). Calling it 'Britishness' though really is total balls. I don't want to see British education infected with the kind of creepy nationalism I've heard about in US schools. Hopefully Gordon will have got over his Scottishness insecurity before he becomes PM.

Tea, funny hats, battleships and fox hunting.


Quite right too. Now I was here and Smythe-Whitley was here, and the Bosch were over the wall - here, here and here but of course Carstairs (who was deaf, as well as drunk) had no idea and got one in the leg, what?

I always get this funny feeling that the Government is trying to forge one nation from four on one hand, while paving the way for its destruction with the other...

You mean through devolution? Yes, it does seem paradoxical... but I don't think it necessarily is. There's sense in implementing devolution without automatically aiming for the dissolution of the UK.

I always get this funny feeling that the Government is trying to forge one nation from four on one hand, while paving the way for its destruction with the other... Nevertheless, I wouldn't mind a special lesson/curriculum based on the Scottish Modern Studies with a bit of British history thrown in. I doubt there are many countries that teach as little about their own history as the UK.

Since when is the country that invented the D-Notice and 150 year information lockups interested in Free Speech?

What's the curriculum? Will they teach how to drink tea and watch soccer?

Well, wouldn't you like to go to a school where they say "All right, come in now, children. Sit round the TV. The football match is about to start, and the water's just boiling for the tea"? :D

Want to each the Class so i can just show them All the Ealing Comedies and Yes Minister, take them on tours around Saville Row to them how good quialty clothes. Have them Listen to Noel Coward , learn how to fill and smoke a briar and remind them no what matter what keep stiff Upper lip puls lessons on hat doffing

Pip pip cheerio a sprocket of chimps my good sir!
Wings on a bobbin? I say!

I don't see as how teaching "free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights" is peculiarly British. It ought to be taught everywhere, IMO.

Quite right too. Now I was here and Smythe-Whitley was here, and the Bosch were over the wall - here, here and here but of course Carstairs (who was deaf, as well as drunk) had no idea and got one in the leg, what?

Quite right old chap, quite right.

Teach "Britishness"? Sounds like they want to turn all the males into homosexuals, but with Brits who can tell?

I say, old chaps, is this going to be a spiffin' jolly thread where we all speak British, wot wot?

ooh are we gonig to bring back Boxing in School too

I don't watch non-American football.

You've isolated yourself from the epitome of world civilisation! :eek:

Teach "Britishness"? Sounds like they want to turn all the males into homosexuals, but with Brits who can tell?
:confused:
As the actress said to the bishop...

Come again?

ooh are we gonig to bring back Boxing in School too

Not fencing, I hope. C'est nous les Froggies qui faisons de l'escrime. :p

Well, wouldn't you like to go to a school where they say "All right, come in now, children. Sit round the TV. The football match is about to start, and the water's just boiling for the tea"? :D

No. I drink iced tea and I don't watch non-American football.

free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights.
Sounds good to me.

Britishness
http://www.nndb.com/people/125/000098828/terry-thomas-1-sized.jpg

Which brings up that fascinating topic: What is "Britishness"?

And, in this context, how does one "teach" it?

there is no such thing. it is stupid to try and teach it, cuz you'd have to make something up.

You've isolated yourself from the epitome of world civilisation! :eek:

No, I watch hockey.

Great...now we're gonna teach the little bastards how to get pissed up....mind you most already do that anyway...

Britishness
http://www.nndb.com/people/125/000098828/terry-thomas-1-sized.jpg
No, this is Britishness:

http://pcosrv.iis.nsk.su/simics/mus_news/archive/1998-11-13_spicegirls/geri1.jpg

there is no such thing.

That depends on your definition of "is" (or "thing"). ;)

No, seriously. If what you mean is that there's no consensual definition of "Britishness", then you're quite right, of course. But the very fact that there is this discussion proves (again) that the concept of Britishness is meaningful to some, and debated.

No, this is Britishness:

http://pcosrv.iis.nsk.su/simics/mus_news/archive/1998-11-13_spicegirls/geri1.jpg

Good god! We are better than that!

No, this is Britishness:

http://pcosrv.iis.nsk.su/simics/mus_news/archive/1998-11-13_spicegirls/geri1.jpg

Oh please, no...

Interesting result when you Google image "Britishness", though:
http://images.google.fr/images?hl=fr&q=Britishness

One of the images that comes up for "British" is, bizarrely, this (http://www.salute.co.uk/salutegames/cloudships/images/locust%20finsished/british%20fleet%20closer.jpg).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/vonbek/Bulldogge.jpg

Full article here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/6294643.stm).

Which brings up that fascinating topic: What is "Britishness"?

And, in this context, how does one "teach" it?

Tea and funny accents. And I guess you have to acquire it. Don't mind me, I'm just a filthy Yank. :)

The British are already British enough...

The British are coming! The British are coming!!

Core Values, that's funny. What are core values?

Contain the seeds of the new generation. A firm pillar upon which all the sweetness may support itself. And small amounts of arsenic.