Reform UK has unveiled a comprehensive set of education policies, including mandatory displays of the Union flag and King Charles' portrait in every school, coupled with the introduction of "patriotic" history lessons. The party announced these proposals ahead of St George's Day, aiming to foster "national pride" within the curriculum and criticising current history teaching as being viewed through "a progressive lens."
Curriculum Overhaul and Implementation Timeline
Should Reform UK form a government, they have pledged to implement a new curriculum within their first 100 days in office. The party argues that history should reflect a "patriotic history of the British Isles" and avoid being shaped by "modern narratives." This curriculum would focus on key historical events such as the Magna Carta, the Wars of the Roses, the English Civil War, the Glorious Revolution, the Act of Union, the Enlightenment, and Victorian Britain.
Specific Requirements and Content Mandates
Under the proposed policies, British history would constitute a minimum of 60 per cent of the assessed content in history subjects. The Secretary of State for Education would be granted powers to intervene "where this is not followed," ensuring compliance with the new standards. Additionally, every school would be required to fly the Union flag, celebrate St George's Day in England, and display a visible portrait of King Charles in a communal area.
Reform UK has also indicated that funding would be provided for Scottish and Welsh schools to fly the Union flag alongside their national flags, though they acknowledge that education is a devolved matter. The party highlighted that in 2024, every state-funded school in the country was offered a portrait of the King, but only 34 per cent accepted it.
Political Commentary and Criticisms
Suella Braverman, Reform UK's prospective education secretary, stated: "Tory and Labour governments have failed a generation of young people with a substandard curriculum that undermines academic rigour and national identity in favour of promoting their mass migration agenda. Reform will end this. As education secretary, I will introduce a new curriculum that will rekindle national pride and ensure that every child leaves school with an understanding of what a privilege it is to be British."
The party's proposals come amid broader political activities, including events where leader Nigel Farage faced repeated heckling in London. These education policies are positioned as a response to what Reform UK perceives as a lack of traditional values in current teaching methods, with an emphasis on restoring historical narratives that celebrate British heritage.
