Winston Churchill(and others) to be axed from British

[BERIGAN]

Two-finger salute

By DAVID WOODING

Whitehall Editor

July 13, 2007

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

FURY erupted last night after Sir Winston Churchill was axed from school history lessons.

Britain’s cigar-chomping World War Two PM — famed for his two-finger victory salute — was removed from a list of figures secondary school children must learn about.

Instead they will be taught about “relevant” issues such as global warming and drug dangers. Churchill’s grandson, Tory MP Nicholas Soames, branded the move “total madness.”

The decision to axe Churchill is part of a major shake-up aimed at dragging the national curriculum into the 21st century, it was claimed last night.

But the plan — hatched by advisers — angered schools secretary Ed Balls, who vowed to probe ALL the changes to the curriculum.

The proposals will see traditional timetables torn up, with pupils focusing on modern “relevant” topics such as drug and booze abuse, climate change and GM foods.

Churchill — voted the greatest ever Briton — goes off the required lessons list, along with Hitler, Gandhi, Stalin and Martin Luther King.

There will also be no need to mention the Wars of the Roses, Elizabeth I or Henry VIII.

The move left Mr Balls locked in a row with his curriculum advisers.

He insisted: “Churchill should be taught to all pupils and I shall be taking steps to ensure it is.”

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove said: “Winston Churchill is the towering figure of 20th-century British history. His fight against fascism was Britain’s finest hour.

“Our national story can’t be told without Churchill at the centre.”

Churchill’s grandson, Tory MP Nicholas Soames, stormed: “It’s total madness. The teaching of history is incredibly important. If people do not seem to care about the country in which they live, the reason is that they don’t know much about it.”

Ministers said the shake-up will free up a quarter of the school day so teachers can focus more on individual pupil needs. All subjects for 11 to 14-year-olds face an overhaul.

ENGLISH: Lessons must focus on reading and writing accurately and speaking clearly. Classic and modern literature will be a must. Recommended authors will include Jane Austen, George Orwell and Alan Bennett. Pupils must study at least one Shakespeare play.

SCIENCE: Touchy issues such as genetic engineering of plants and animals and use of nuclear power are added. Kids will also learn about the effects of drugs such as booze, cigarettes and cannabis, sexual health and infection.

MATHS: Personal finance, such as how to manage a bank account and work out credit card interest will be added to algebra, linear equations and ratios.

HISTORY: Will still focus on major events in Britain, Europe and the world, including both world wars, the Holocaust, and the British Empire. Visits to museums, galleries and historical sights are a must.

MODERN LANGUAGES: Schools will be able to stop teaching French, German and Spanish and offer other languages, including Urdu, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic. Qualifications and Curriculum Authority boss Ken Boston said the changes would equip young people “with the skills for life and work in the 21st century”.

A spokesman said changes would not be radical, adding: “Anne Boleyn will still be beheaded, the Pennines will remain the backbone of England and Romeo will still fall in love with Juliet.”

Headteachers last night said that the reforms were “a move in the right direction”.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2007320449,00.html

[sidewinder]

Churchill — voted the greatest ever Briton

But he was an American !

I'd take the source of this with a pinch of salt. The 'Sun' is a total shite newspaper. The Beano has more news in it.

[Jazzmoose]

There's some serious disconnect in this story. The first few paragraphs sound like a purposely inflammatory reading of the list at the end. Obviously, Churchill is NOT being replaced with global warming and drug dangers, unless the schools are so seriously screwed up that they've been teaching about Churchill in science classes. If this is the case, then it's about time this was fixed, isn't it?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I'd take the source of this with a pinch of salt. The 'Sun' is a total shite newspaper. The Beano has more news in it.

Definitely shite. Which doesn't mean that parts of this aren't true. Just that they're presented in a biased, simplistic manner, with possible errors included.

MG

[Guy Berger]

HISTORY: Will still focus on major events in Britain, Europe and the world, including both world wars, the Holocaust, and the British Empire. Visits to museums, galleries and historical sights are a must.

Here's the bit that suggests this article is mostly (totally?) garbage. AFAIK it's not possible to teach about WW2 without mentioning Churchill.

Berigan, where did you find this article?

Guy

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Here's a link to the actual announcement.

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0127

And here it is

NEW SECONDARY CURRICULUM CREATES TIME TO FOCUS ON THE BASICS AND STRETCH HIGH ACHIEVERS

12 July 2007

Classic subject knowledge protected as duplication is reduced

The new Secondary Curriculum, unveiled today, will free up around a quarter of the school day to enable teachers to give more help to pupils struggling to master the basics in English and Maths and raise standards higher across the board.

Ministers asked the QCA to review the curriculum to create flexibility for schools to provide “catch up” support in literacy and numeracy for teenagers who are struggling while stretching those with particular talents and gifts in subjects.

Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls announced that the new curriculum will cut clutter and reduce duplication and enable schools to do much more with the traditional school day to prepare pupils for the demands of today’s world. As well as an even sharper focus on literacy and numeracy and retaining established subject knowledge, the new curriculum places greater emphasis on equipping young people with the personal, learning and thinking skills they need to succeed in employment and adult life.

Mr Balls said: “By cutting waste and duplication in the curriculum, I am giving teachers the time to concentrate on what is really vital.

“I have protected the classic elements of the curriculum that have stood the test of time such as Shakespeare, algebra, historic dates and the World Wars. And I want these to be taught even better - in a lively, exciting way which enthuses and motivates.

“In a rapidly changing world, we also need a school curriculum which evolves to provide teenagers with the up to date knowledge they will need to succeed.

“Every child should have a good grasp of grammar, spelling and arithmetic. They should also have wider skills that increasingly employers and universities demand, such as the ability to express themselves and think clearly and have a dynamic ‘can do’ attitude. They also need to learn skills to help them excel in a fast-changing world – for example: financial capability and learning economically useful languages like Mandarin and Urdu.

“We must help our children flourish by developing their personal skills as global citizens while maintaining a rigorous focus on traditional subject knowledge, exam results and high academic standards. So there’s more emphasis on developing in-depth understanding of the key ideas, skills and content of each subject discipline.”

The new curriculum follows the first major review of the curriculum since 2000 which was launched for consultation by the QCA in February. It will come into force from September 2008.

Some of the key changes and retained elements include:

• History: Pupils will continue to learn about important events of the last century, such as the World Wars and the Holocaust and also study key aspects of British History including Medieval History and the Industrial Revolution while also learning about the history of the slave trade. The importance of dates will be taught and chronological understanding will underpin studies;

• English: Teenagers will continue to study Shakespeare as well as the canon of pre-20th century literary classics including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and George Eliot;

• Languages: While continuing to study French, Spanish and German, schools will also get greater freedom to offer economically useful world languages such as Mandarin and Urdu;

• Citizenship: Following Keith Ajegbo’s review, pupils will learn shared British values and study national identity in the UK through the prism of History, including covering issues such as the legacy of the British Empire;

• Geography: Pupils will continue to use atlases and maps and learn about human and physical geography. Sustainable development, environmental change and world poverty will be given a much stronger focus as a theme throughout the curriculum to prepare youngsters to become more global citizens;

• Cooking: Pupils aged 11-14 will get an entitlement to cook and will be taught how to make simple, healthy meals from basic fresh ingredients, helping to combat obesity;

• Science: Will remain a core compulsory subject in the curriculum and all pupils who reach the required level will have entitlement to study triple separate sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) at GCSE by September 2008;

• Economic Wellbeing: Pupils will be taught essential financial life skills through functional maths and in Personal Social Health and Economic Education (PSHE). These will include: personal finance, enterprise and financial capability; learning about risk and reward; investment and trade; personal budgeting; mortgages; interest rates; and balancing credit cards;

• PE: Lessons will combine physical activity with learning how exercise affects fitness and health and schools will also have even more flexibility to run the physical activities that best meet their pupils’ needs.

All 11-14 year old pupils will continue to study all 12 subjects of the National Curriculum. These subjects will remain the backbone of a broad and balanced curriculum for this age group.

The secondary curriculum will put more emphasis on personal skills such as initiative and the capacity to learn independently, better preparing pupils for GCSEs and the new Diplomas. There is growing evidence of the importance of these skills in all walks of life.

The new curriculum will also help to ensure that young people are well-prepared for the choices they make during the all important 14-19 phase, whether they choose to study GCSEs, A Levels, Diplomas or Apprenticeships. It will also give them the grounding they need to succeed in the new functional skills qualifications which all young people will take in future.

Editor's Notes

This press notice relates to 'England'

1. Following the consultation on the revised curriculum launched in February, the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) provided formal advice to Ministers in early June before the curriculum was finalised by Ministers. The new curriculum will be available to schools for planning purposes from September 2007.

2. The new Key Stage 3 curriculum will be phased in over a three year period. It becomes statutory for Year 7 pupils in September 2008; from September 2009, it will apply to all Year 7 and Year 8 pupils; and from September 2010 it will apply across Years 7, 8 and 9. Changes to the Key Stage 4 curriculum begin rolling out in September 2009.

3. The first five Diplomas will be taught from September 2008 in 145 consortia of schools and colleges in 97 Local Authorities. 14 Diplomas will eventually be available to all young people aged 14-19 from 2013. All students will be studying new functional skills qualifications either as part of their GCSEs or as stand alone qualifications. The functional skills qualifications are being piloted in schools and colleges from September 2007.

Contact Details

Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

Press Notice 2007/0127

It would be nice if Bev - who teaches history - would post his views. My own impression (gained as a pupil nearly 50 years ago) is that there's too much British history, since Roman times, to conveniently teach even between the ages of, say, 7-18. Selection is both inevitable and desirable. But even more, it's necessary to interest pupils so that they do what I did - get my mother to buy books dealing with other bits of history that weren't covered. If teachers don't interest pupils, what's the point?

MG

[RDK]

I can't get past the guy named Ed Balls.

[catesta]

I can't get past the guy named Ed Balls.

Just walk faster.

[David Ayers]

I can't get past the guy named Ed Balls.

Just walk faster.

...and, uh, don't look down...

[Jazzmoose]

I tell you, one thing I do like about this is the addition of things like cooking and financial skills. I wish our schools over here would adopt these things. I'm sure some would say that it's the parents job to teach those things, but there are too many parents who can't handle these things themselves; why should their children suffer for their ignorance?

[alocispepraluger102]

churchill wrote a very creditable history of the US civil war, which, i am sure, has been deleted everywhere.

[Guy Berger]

churchill wrote a very creditable history of the US civil war, which, i am sure, has been deleted everywhere.

I think it is available as part of A History of the English-Speaking Peoples. I don't know whether the Civil War history is creditable, but wikipedia says the following about his work as a historian:

The British statesman Winston Churchill was a prolific writer throughout his life, and during his periods out of office regarded himself as a professional writer who was also a Member of Parliament. Despite his aristocratic birth, he inherited little money (his mother spent most of his inheritance) and always needed ready cash to maintain his lavish lifestyle. Some of his historical works, such as A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, were written primarily to raise money.

Although Churchill was an excellent writer, he was not a trained historian, and his historical works show many limitations. In his youth he was an avid reader of history, but within a narrow range... He had no knowledge of, or interest in, social or economic history, and he always saw history as essentially political and military, driven by great men rather than by economic forces or social change.

Churchill was one of the last (and most influential) exponents of "Whig history" — the ideology of the 18th and 19th century Whigs that the British people had a unique greatness and an imperial destiny and that all British history should be seen as progress towards fulfilling that destiny. This belief inspired his political career as well as his historical writing. It was an old-fashioned view of history even in Churchill's youth, but he never modified it or showed any interest in other schools of history. Although he employed professional historians as assistants on his major works, they had no influence over the content of his works...

Churchill's History of the English-Speaking Peoples was commissioned and largely written in the 1930s when Churchill badly needed money, but it was put aside when war broke out in 1939, being finally issued after he left office for the last time in 1955. Although it contains much fine writing, it shows Churchill's deficiencies as a historian at their most glaring. It is generally regarded as ponderous, tendentious and very old-fashioned, seeing world history as a one-dimensional pageant of battles and speeches, kings and statesmen, in which the English occupy central stage. Events of central importance to modern history, such as the industrial revolution, are scarcely mentioned. Although Churchill's enormous prestige ensured that the books were respectfully received and sold well, they are now little read.

[Rooster_Ties]

Well, what can you expect from a country that (at least based on the original article), is teaching "Maths".

[andybleaden]

Steady on there old bean. That sort of language may just get your countries licence to exist revoked and you will end up back as part of the the Empire!

That would make Charles your king. A direct replacement /like for like for your current buffoon

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

churchill wrote a very creditable history of the US civil war, which, i am sure, has been deleted everywhere.

I think it is available as part of A History of the English-Speaking Peoples. I don't know whether the Civil War history is creditable, but wikipedia says the following about his work as a historian:

The British statesman Winston Churchill was a prolific writer throughout his life, and during his periods out of office regarded himself as a professional writer who was also a Member of Parliament. Despite his aristocratic birth, he inherited little money (his mother spent most of his inheritance) and always needed ready cash to maintain his lavish lifestyle. Some of his historical works, such as A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, were written primarily to raise money.

Although Churchill was an excellent writer, he was not a trained historian, and his historical works show many limitations. In his youth he was an avid reader of history, but within a narrow range... He had no knowledge of, or interest in, social or economic history, and he always saw history as essentially political and military, driven by great men rather than by economic forces or social change.

Churchill was one of the last (and most influential) exponents of "Whig history" — the ideology of the 18th and 19th century Whigs that the British people had a unique greatness and an imperial destiny and that all British history should be seen as progress towards fulfilling that destiny. This belief inspired his political career as well as his historical writing. It was an old-fashioned view of history even in Churchill's youth, but he never modified it or showed any interest in other schools of history. Although he employed professional historians as assistants on his major works, they had no influence over the content of his works...

Churchill's History of the English-Speaking Peoples was commissioned and largely written in the 1930s when Churchill badly needed money, but it was put aside when war broke out in 1939, being finally issued after he left office for the last time in 1955. Although it contains much fine writing, it shows Churchill's deficiencies as a historian at their most glaring. It is generally regarded as ponderous, tendentious and very old-fashioned, seeing world history as a one-dimensional pageant of battles and speeches, kings and statesmen, in which the English occupy central stage. Events of central importance to modern history, such as the industrial revolution, are scarcely mentioned. Although Churchill's enormous prestige ensured that the books were respectfully received and sold well, they are now little read.

My mother had "History of the English speaking peoples" - I tried to read it when I was about 13. Gave up. Never regretted it. Much preferred the left wing of her library.

MG

PS thinking about Churchill as a writer while I was having a cough and drag in the garden (it's stopped raining for a few minutes), it occurred to me that Churchill wasn't really all that good, either as writer or as orator. But he was probably the first great master of sound bites.

MG

Edited July 17, 2007 by The Magnificent Goldberg

[medjuck]

Why did Berigan post this? What's it got to do with Muslims or France?

[Man with the Golden Arm]

wonder if the 'Churchill Wit' will be axed as well?

Churchill was known to drain a glass or two and, after one particularly convivial evening, he chanced to encounter Miss Bessie Braddock, a Socialist member of the House of Commons, who, upon seeing his condition, said, "Winston, you're drunk." Mustering all his dignity, Churchill drew himself up to his full height, cocked an eyebrow and rejoined, "Shove it up your ass, you ugly c___."

When the noted playwright George Bernard Shaw sent him two tickets to the opening night of his new play with a note that read: "Bring a friend, if you have one," Churchill, not to be outdone, promptly wired back: "You and your play can go f___ yourselves."

At an elegant dinner party, Lady Astor once leaned across the table to remark, "If you were my husband, Winston, I'd poison your coffee."

"And if you were my wife, I'd beat the shit out of you," came Churchill's unhesitating retort.

During the darkest days of World War II, when each night brought waves of Luftwaffe bombers raining death and destruction on a near-defenseless London, Prime Minster Churchill went on the air to address the British People. "I read in this morning's paper that Herr Hitler plans to wring England's neck like that of a chicken," he began, "and I was reminded of what the Irish poacher said as he stood on the gallows. It seems the poor fellow as approached by a well-meaning if somewhat overzealous priest who, in horrific detail, described the unfading torments of Hades which awaited him if he did not repent his misdeeds. The condemned man listened patiently to all that the priest had to say, and when he was done, grinned broadly and replied, 'Eat it raw, fuzz-nuts.'"

Shortly after Churchill had grown a moustache, he was accosted by a certain young lady whose political views were in direct opposition to his own. Fancying herself something of a wag, she exclaimed, "Mr. Churchill, I care for neither your politics nor your moustache."

Unabashed, the young statesman regarded her quietly for a moment, then wryly commented, "Suck my dick."

Sir Winston carried on a life-long feud with Labour party leader Aneurin Bevin and, on one occasion, while Mr. Bevin was delivering an unusually long speech to the House of Commons, Churchill slumped into his seat and appeared to doze off. When Bevan noticed this, he inquired in his loudest voice, "Must the right honorable gentleman fall asleep during my speech?" Receiving no reply, Mr. Bevan continued until, a few minutes later, the sound of snoring was distinctly audible to all present. This time Mr. Bevin slammed his hand on the rail and shouted, "Until now, the Conservative party had usually managed to conceal the fact that it was asleep." Without even opening his eyes, Churchill quipped, "Flake off, touch-hole" and unconcernedly resumed his nap.

Churchill was given to reading to reading in the bathtub and, while staying at the White House, he became so engrossed in an account of the Battle of Fonteney that he forgot President Roosevelt was due to drop by to discuss the upcoming conference in Yalta. At the appointed hour, the president was wheeled into Churchill's quarters only to be informed that the prime minister had not finished bathing. Roosevelt was about to apologize for the intrusion and depart when Churchill, puffing his customary cigar, strode into the room stark naked and greeted the nonplussed world leader with a terse, "What are you staring at, homo?"

Michael O'Donoghue circa 1973

[Guy Berger]

At an elegant dinner party, Lady Astor once leaned across the table to remark, "If you were my husband, Winston, I'd poison your coffee."

"And if you were my wife, I'd beat the shit out of you," came Churchill's unhesitating retort.

I've heard this story before, but with a different retort:

"And if you were my wife, I'd drink it."

I like my version better. Which is more "accurate"?

Guy

[Noj]

I think someone was having fun making his retorts R-Rated. I'd heard less vulgar (and more clever) comebacks like Guy's version.

[Guy Berger]

I think someone was having fun making his retorts R-Rated. I'd heard less vulgar (and more clever) comebacks like Guy's version.

I guess I should have read the whole thing, it's pretty clearly tongue in cheek. DOH!

Guy

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I think someone was having fun making his retorts R-Rated. I'd heard less vulgar (and more clever) comebacks like Guy's version.

Indeed. I wonder if O'Donaghue was from around these parts.

MG

[umum_cypher]

I got through school without 'studying Churchill'. I suppose we must have done him and WWII in primary school, but in secondary school we went straight from Romans to Anglo Saxons to the Industrial Revolution, and then to the Russian Revolution and USSR. No WWII, no WWI for that matter. No Churchill (didn't get to Yalta I don't think). So it's been like this for some time (though atcually I wouldn't trust the 'this' if it comes from The Sun).

But I spent a summer working in the Churchill Museum in Whitehall, where I mainly skulked around the gift shop watching war DVDs, so I know most of his speeches by heart now. Had some good conversations with the tourists. 'We need a guy like that in charge now, huh!'. OK. 'I didn't know you guys were in the war too!'. Oh. 'World War I, that was between the US and the Japs, right?'. Er...

[sidewinder]

'We need a guy like that in charge now, huh!'. OK. 'I didn't know you guys were in the war too!'. ...

Reminds me of a comment from one of these guys whilst sipping a coffee at the John O'Groats Hotel (I'd just completed the drive from Glasgow) as he poked his head into the dining room looking a bit lost.

'Is this the way to the dungeon?'

Edited July 18, 2007 by sidewinder

[Man with the Golden Arm]

I think someone was having fun making his retorts R-Rated. I'd heard less vulgar (and more clever) comebacks like Guy's version.

Indeed. I wonder if O'Donaghue was from around these parts.

MG

That bit was lifted from an entry into National Lampoon's "Encyclopedia of Humor" - accompanied by a pre-phhotoshopped one finger salute photo. Still have a copy from them high school days.

After Lampoon Michael O'Donoghue became the first head writer for Saturday Night Live.

[Noj]

Some good Churchill quotes...