"We don't need a big wing, or a little wing - we just need pilots!" So said Lord Olivier, playing Sir Hugh Dowding in the film re-enactment of The Battle of Britain. He said it with a world-weary sigh, which no doubt accurately reflected the feelings of the Air Chief Marshal.
I think a similar thought idea must have crossed the minds of history teachers recently, as the Air-Marshals of School History square up for a fight. It has certainly crossed mine, now happily retired from 30 years of teaching History in a Comprehensive school.
Mr Gove has made an important contribution by recognising the value of History in the school curriculum, but he is now in danger of stirring up a heated and unecessary debate.
History teaching doesn't need just the facts, or just the skills, or even just the knowledge. It just needs the time to teach it, and good History Teachers who know all about teaching a subject which is both conservative and subversive. Advice from people like Sean Lang and Chris Culpin - who know what a good syllabus and the inside of a classroom look like - is also needed.
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