The greatest number of people studying history in Britain are aged between five and 14. If research historians and policymakers wish to be more "directly useful", they might consider giving more than the occasional passing nod to the values, skills and concepts that can be developed in the school classroom.
From my long list of suggestions for ways forward, here's just one: they could more often work with history teacher-educators with a view to ensuring that cutting-edge research finds its way into schools. They might then also find that raising interest in history at GCSE and A level could directly benefit them by increasing the quality, quantity and social mix of the pool applying to study and utilise the subject at degree level and beyond.
Peter D'Sena, Head of the education department, London South Bank University.
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