Year 13 A Level History students have been immersing themselves in modern British History this year. Aided by that wonderful TV series, Andrew Marr’s ‘History of Modern Britain’ we have studied the thesis that only two post war British Prime Ministers have truly changed Britain, Clement Attlee and Margaret Thatcher. Margaret Thatcher it is said was “like marmite. You either loved her or hated her”.
Thinking of ways of stimulating our studies our intrepid History Teacher, Malcolm Day, led us in February to the University of Kent where we immersed ourselves in a Thatcher Study fest. Part of the day was spent at the fascinating British Cartoon Library which is housed within the Templeman Library. There we had an intriguing presentation by archivist, Dr Nick Hiley, who revealed to us how cartoonists in the British press represented our first ever Woman Prime Minister. They were an extraordinary mix of the praiseworthy, indifferent and downright hostile. Above all it provoked much debate about how modern Britain has viewed her.
After a tour of the University we were met by Professor Mark Connelly from the History department who had kindly agreed to give us a seminar on the ‘Marmite Lady’. He gave up one and a half hours of his time to stimulate our thinking on such a controversial time in our recent History. He gave us much to think about as we prepare for a challenging question about her Premiership in this June’s A Level History exam. We all hope we are going to love and not hate the question! We are greatly indebted to the University of Kent for their great hospitality and quality of learning input.
Year 13 Federal Sixth A Level Historians
