A-level Ancient History news

I’ve heard the petition to save Ancient History at A-level is having an effect. I’m pleased I was wrong about that. Unfortunately it seems the plans to dump Ancient History could be part of a wider programme to modern-ise education. There’s a press release issued on the topic.

LAWYERS CALLED IN OVER ANCIENT HISTORY DEBATE

Education minister Jim Knight warns QCA

Oxford and Cambridge Examination Board remains silent

The Joint Association of Classical Teachers (JACT), which is leading the attack on the decision by the Oxford and Cambridge Examination Board (OCR) to scrap the only A level in Ancient History, is considering legal action if the decision is upheld.

After a meeting with OCR Tom Harrison, Professor of Ancient History at Liverpool and chairman of JACT’s Ancient History Committee, said ‘OCR claims that you can do Ancient History via its new Classical Civilisation syllabus. But that syllabus meets virtually none of the criteria for the subject. We are therefore in discussion with lawyers and would intend, very reluctantly, to take action if these miserable proposals are not abandoned.’

He added: ‘After our meeting with OCR, we fear any changes may simply be cosmetic.’

During an adjournment debate about the scrapping of Ancient History brought by former education minister Michael Fallon MP (Sevenoaks), [Wednesday], education minister Jim Knight warned the government’s Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which has the final say over all syllabuses, to look ‘very carefully’ at what OCR was proposing. He went on:

‘I am … encouraged to hear … that OCR is seriously considering whether it would be appropriate to reinstate ancient history as a title. I would call on OCR and the QCA to make sure that the views of the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues are recognised in their ongoing discussions to resolve the issue.’

Dr Peter Jones, Spokesman for the National Co-ordinating Committee for Classics, said:

‘If only OCR would tell us clearly why they have made the decision, it would make it all so much easier. It would be a disgrace were it financial, since OCR made £2 million last year on top of reserves of £6.8 million. One theory has it that it they could not fit Ancient History into their new syllabus framework, so simply scrapped it! But which is more important – a framework or the intensive study of the past?’

He went on: ‘If the Board had consulted properly instead of acting so secretively, none of this need have happened. It really does look as if they have no real interest in fulfilling any of the QCA’s criteria for Ancient History and simply want to get rid of it by hook or by crook. We too shall be looking “very carefully” at OCR’s and QCA’s decisions’.

‘This week it has emerged that OCR has also scrapped the last exam in Anglo-Saxon history. There is a nasty pattern here to OCR’s decisions in relation to the study of our past that has laid the foundations for what we are today.’

You can also read the recent Parliamentary debate on the topic, which includes the opinion that 300 is ‘very good’.

If you’re interested in reading more about this, then the Joint Association of Classical Teachers website is the place to go.