Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Can schools fix ‘Broken Britain’?
#BrokenBritain
#EducationCrisis
#TeachingValues
#PoliticalClassroom
After last summer's riots, schools are yet again being expected to solve social problems. But haven’t we been here before, charging education with creating a sense of belonging? Since 2014, all teachers in English schools have been required by law to ‘actively promote’ the shared British values of democracy, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs, as well as the rule of law and individual liberty. They are also required to report any pupil that they judge to be at risk of becoming a political extremist. As is now patently clear, these strategies have not had the outcomes policymakers hoped for.
Will pupils who express concern over contentious issues such as mass migration, identity politics’ failings, two-tier policing and other contested viewpoints be accused of extremism? Might an activist approach encourage classroom interactions to ape the very polarised divisions it seeks to counter? Is there a danger that in assuming such a directly political role, teachers risk becoming indoctrinators? Can such an approach succeed, or is it doomed to fail?
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/worldwriteis30 Thank You.
Can schools fix ‘Broken Britain’?
#BrokenBritain
#EducationCrisis
#TeachingValues
#PoliticalClassroom
After last summer's riots, schools are yet again being expected to solve social problems. But haven’t we been here before, charging education with creating a sense of belonging? Since 2014, all teachers in English schools have been required by law to ‘actively promote’ the shared British values of democracy, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs, as well as the rule of law and individual liberty. They are also required to report any pupil that they judge to be at risk of becoming a political extremist. As is now patently clear, these strategies have not had the outcomes policymakers hoped for.
Will pupils who express concern over contentious issues such as mass migration, identity politics’ failings, two-tier policing and other contested viewpoints be accused of extremism? Might an activist approach encourage classroom interactions to ape the very polarised divisions it seeks to counter? Is there a danger that in assuming such a directly political role, teachers risk becoming indoctrinators? Can such an approach succeed, or is it doomed to fail?
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by visiting the charity's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/worldwriteis30 Thank You.
