Teaching Britishness

[oldrec]

Please, can someone tell me why the proposal is to teach britishness in English schools, but not in schools in Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland ? I, Really, do not understand.
Thank you

[naomi24]

I don't know the answer, but when completing any official form the Irish declare themselves to be Irish, the Scots Scottish and the Welsh, Welsh. The English declare themselves to be British.

[Marvelman]

I work all over the country and find that the majority of Irish, Scotts, and Welsh people are not interested in being British, so i now call myself English.

[smiffy65]

when you fill any official forms in and you are English,you have to declare yourself British you have no choice you are not allowed to put English

[Marvelman]

I write English in pen over where it says British on forms,

[jenstar]

Because it's only the English who are arrogant enough to suppose that their way of life constitutes "Britishness" in the first place.

[dogfish]

I think small-minded nationalism on any side stinks to high heaven. I'd expect Britishness to be taught across the British Isles. I'm Scottish & British.

[IggyB]

the answer is down to devolution e.g. scotland and wales have different education systems and are controlled by a separate educational authority hence they have a slightly different curriculum - this is the simple answer and no reflection of an attack on "english-ness" or any other complaint about forms etc

[oldrec]

Thank you dogfish and IggyB for answering my question. I must admit slight despair at the others for the strong nationalistic feeling that must exist. I know this is, only, a small sample, but even so, a surprise to one who, obviously leads a sheltered life!

[THECORBYLOON]

Britishness needs to be taught to the English so that they can differentiate belween England & Great Britain, Great Britain & the UK and the UK & the British Isles. Mind you, dogfish seems to expect the folk of Eire to be taught Britishness so maybe he/she is confused too?

[dogfish]

Aye right Corbyloon, fit ever. For someone fa'll stick up for ony minority that folk on here hae a go at. I think your remarks towards the English very generalised and disparaging. Especially as you choose to bide among them.

[THECORBYLOON]

It's only very recently that England supporters have started using the flag of Saint George rather than the Union Flag and I have lost count of the times someone has said England rather than Britain and then goes on to say Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland in a feeble attempt to hide his or her error.

As I've said before, Corby is a Scots enclave so it's nae bother at a'.

[Hammer Head]

I can't see that Britishness needs to be taught at all in any school. It wasn't taught in my day (1970s) it was something that you were brought up with.