PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk

Make History compulsory at school until 16 to protect the future

We call on the Government to make History a compulsory subject for all students in England until the age of 16, and to examine the merits of extending this to age 18, so that young people gain strong historical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of civic responsibility.

Last fetched 06 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk

Signatures

signatures

Government response threshold (10,000) · 99/10,000

Debate threshold (100,000) · 99/100,000

Background

The decisions young people make today will shape Britain for decades. Yet many in England can stop studying History at just 14 — before they’ve developed the skills and critical thinking needed to understand society, politics, and global events.
 
We believe that History helps children recognise misinformation, learn from past mistakes, and navigate a divided world. Making it compulsory until at least 16 would, we believe  help create informed, thoughtful citizens who can protect democracy and build a fairer, stronger society.