14. Perceptions of Britishness
What does being British mean to you? Can you have pride in being British?
Being British meant many things to students. Tea, fish and chips, playing football and
‘speaking in a posh way’ were some answers to the question. Some said that being British
didn’t really mean much at all, ‘dunno nothing much’. Muslim students said that they
were quite proud of Britain, and in particular its education system, the National Health
Service and the levels of societal organisation. One student said they were not happy
about the treatment of Muslims overseas by British forces. Several other Muslims
students agreed with the statement, with the others expressing no strong views on this
issue. One Muslim said that ‘the colours of the Union Jack flag don’t represent the
people who lived in Britain’.
This question gave rise to a number of related questions in the next phase questionnaire.
15. Pride in the West Midlands
Can you have pride in being from the West Midlands?
Many students were proud of Birmingham, saying that it was largely a good city with a
big city feel but without the ‘craziness’ of London. No mention was made of the West
Midlands directly, which suggested that students actually had little experience of it as a
larger geographical area. Individual students stated Birmingham’s football clubs and the
Bull Ring as a source of pride.
No student in either group said they were proud of their own area of East Birmingham,
and there were many responses to the contrary.
Since character and citizenship are closely related this question was included in the next
phase questionnaire.
16. Understanding of school approach to character
What are the incentives in your school for being a successful human being?
Some students did not respond to this question at all well and were clearly self-conscious.
They did not answer directly, looked at each other and shrugged. They were worried
perhaps about issues of self-presentation. According to the responses that were given
there was no organised scheme in any school to encourage character development. One
student said that assemblies touched on the subject but they focused on the dangers of
drugs, sexual health and other PSHE related topics.
Although this question wasn’t used in the next phase questionnaire it gave rise to other
important questions.
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