There could be a drive to fill history teaching jobs if a leading historian gets his way.
Sir David Cannadine has urged the government to make the subject compulsory until the age of 16, putting it on a par with English, maths and science.
The Princeton University professor made the claims in his book, The Right Kind of History, in which he outlines his vision for the future of history education.
"Although governments cannot help but tinker with the national curriculum, it is not the main problem and the solution does not lie in redesigning it yet again," the Press Association quoted Sir David as saying.
Making history compulsory until 16 would, he argues, allow a more integrated syllabus, reducing overcrowding of subjects and affording young people more time to learn essential knowledge.
A review of the national curriculum is currently being conducted by the Department for Education. It recently proposed making core subjects mandatory until the age of 18.
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