How the Current Curriculum Supports (or Fails) to Engage Students with Diversity, Peace, and Respect
In the ever-changing landscape of education, the question of how well the curriculum prepares students for life, future study, and work is critical. Equally important is how it helps students develop respect, empathy, and an understanding of diverse perspectives. At CND Peace Education, we believe that fostering these qualities must be a core objective of education. However, despite the best intentions, there are key gaps and areas for improvement in the current curriculum across both primary and secondary levels in the UK.
The Need for Core Peace Education and Human Rights in Schools
One of the most pressing issues is the lack of a dedicated focus on peace education and human rights. Our experience at CND Peace Education has shown that students are eager to engage with real-world issues—issues that affect them and the world around them. When we deliver workshops across schools in England, many students express a strong desire to understand topics such as nuclear disarmament, conflict resolution, and social justice.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has long advocated for the inclusion of peace education and human rights in school curricula. This aligns with the recommendations of the Quakers in Britain’s Peace at the Heart: A Relational Approach to Education in British Schools (2022). The report underscores the importance of teaching children and young people not only academic content but also how to live peacefully and respectfully with others. We believe that peace education should be a core subject within the UK curriculum, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to navigate a world filled with complex social and global challenges.
Strengthening Bullying Prevention and Conflict Resolution Skills
In addition to the need for peace education, we believe schools must do more to combat bullying and violence. This means enhancing the capacity of both students and staff to understand and respect diversity. Many schools already include anti-bullying measures, but there is room for deeper, more sustained engagement on these issues.
Teaching human rights, fostering respect for diversity, and providing conflict resolution skills are key areas that need further investment. These skills are not only valuable in the classroom but also crucial for life beyond school. Addressing these issues can help to build a more inclusive and peaceful school culture and prepare students for the challenges of the wider world.
The Struggles of Primary Education: Narrowing Focus on Testing
In primary education, the curriculum is often dominated by preparation for key tests, particularly the Key Stage 2 SATs. This narrow focus on maths and English often results in a limited, less-rounded educational experience. In our work with schools, we see that in Year 6, the emphasis on test preparation often pushes out other important areas of learning, such as art, music, and even social and emotional development.
We believe the government should consider abolishing SATs at Key Stage 2. This would give teachers the freedom to provide a broader, more balanced curriculum that nurtures not just academic but also personal growth. A well-rounded education helps students develop critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to engage with diverse perspectives—skills that are essential for success in life, future study, and work.
Secondary Education: A Curriculum That Misses the Mark
Secondary education presents its own challenges. The current curriculum and qualification pathways often fail to provide students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our work with over 6,500 secondary school students in 2023-2024 revealed that many students feel disconnected from the curriculum because it does not relate to their lived experiences. When students can’t see the relevance of what they’re learning, they are more likely to disengage, underachieve, and develop misconceptions about the world around them.
For instance, many secondary students express a desire to learn about pressing global issues, such as nuclear disarmament, climate change, and human rights. Yet, as the Nuclear Education Trust’s recent Survey of Nuclear Disarmament Education in Secondary Schools reveals, nuclear disarmament is rarely taught in schools, despite its importance. Even when teachers recognise the significance of the topic, curriculum time constraints make it difficult to cover adequately. In some cases, topics like nuclear weapons have been removed from the GCSE and A-Level syllabi altogether.
This is a missed opportunity. Educating students about nuclear disarmament, peace, and human rights not only helps them understand these critical issues but also encourages them to engage critically with complex social problems. Students who develop these skills are less susceptible to misinformation and prejudice and are more likely to contribute positively to society as informed, active citizens.
The Strain on Citizenship Education
Citizenship education is another area where the curriculum falls short. Many schools only offer citizenship education during ‘drop-down’ days—occasional events where a range of topics are covered in a short space of time. This is insufficient for equipping students with the skills they need to navigate a complex, interconnected world. Citizenship education should be an ongoing, integrated part of the curriculum, not a one-off event.
In our experience, the lack of time allocated to Citizenship and the closure of specialist Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses in Citizenship have contributed to a shortage of trained teachers. As a result, the teaching of citizenship has been relegated to a secondary concern, rather than being viewed as a vital part of students’ education. To address this, the government must provide stronger support for the teaching of Citizenship, ensuring it has the time, resources, and qualified staff needed to be truly effective.
A Call for Reform
The evidence is clear: to better equip students for life, work, and future study, the curriculum must undergo significant reform. Key areas for improvement include:
- Integrating Peace Education and Human Rights: These subjects should be core components of the curriculum, helping students engage with global challenges, respect diversity, and foster peaceful relationships.
- Combating Bullying and Violence: Schools need stronger support to teach human rights, diversity, and conflict resolution, creating an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students.
- Broadening Primary Education: Abolishing SATs at Key Stage 2 would allow schools to focus on a more balanced curriculum that nurtures students’ overall development, not just academic achievement.
- Expanding Secondary Education: The curriculum should be more responsive to students’ interests and the real-world issues they care about, such as nuclear disarmament, social justice, and climate change.
- Strengthening Citizenship Education: This subject should be delivered regularly throughout students’ education, with adequate time and resources for qualified teachers to lead it.
Conclusion
The current curriculum, while offering some valuable content, does not go far enough in preparing students to engage with the world in a respectful, empathetic, and informed way. At CND Peace Education, we believe that by making peace education and human rights a core part of the curriculum, schools can help students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to live in a peaceful and just world. The government must take action to address these gaps, ensuring that every student is equipped not just for exams, but for life.