What happens to a subject in a ‘free market’ curriculum: a study of secondary school history in the United Kingdom

Approximately seven out of 10 pupils in England choose to exercise their right to drop history as a school subject as soon as they are able to do so (at the age of 13 or 14). However, this 30% overall take-up rate conceals massive variations between schools, with over 80% of pupils continuing to study the subject in some schools, and under 5% in others. The study, which was funded by the Curriculum and Qualifications Authority (QCA), sought to gain greater insight into the factors influencing post-compulsory take-up of history, with a complex range of factors emerging as influencing these figures. The findings should be of interest to those involved in history education in high schools and for those involved with other subjects that are similarly affected by the freeing up of the post-14 curriculu