How British do our children feel?

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This week pupils will be asked "Who do we think we are?"

More than 500 schools in England will this week consider the question of what it means to be British, in a government initiative called Who Do We Think We Are? The BBC's Lorna Gordon asked pupils in Scotland what their attitudes to Britishness were.

In a modern studies classroom at Williamwood High School in East Renfrewshire the walls are covered with colourful handwritten posters and photographs of politicians cut from magazines.

They are organised into themes such as voting, and the causes of crime. One block focuses on British prime ministers.

But what about Britishness? How British do these students think they are?

Douglas Stewart, who is 16 and entering his final school year, says he sees himself as Scottish first, British second and then European.

It's a common theme amongst this group of smartly turned-out students.

In America they have great pride in their country and unashamedly so, but over here we are more reserved Charlotte Greenwood, 16 <a class="" href="/1/hi/education/7469172.stm">Classrooms focus on 'Britishness'</a>

Many of the group said that Britishness is important but that it's also important to reflect on what it is to be Scottish.

So what might be behind an initiative promoting Britishness? Charlotte Greenwood, also 16, has her own theory.

She says: "In America they have great pride in their country and unashamedly so, but over here we are more reserved. I think the government are trying to make us proud of our country."

'Good citizen'

Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence does cover issues such as citizenship education. The Scottish government say the aim is to encourage young people to grow up as tolerant, understanding and respectful individuals.

Sixteen-year-old Joanna Thomson points out that while Britishness per se is not taught in their lessons they are taught about citizenship.

She says: "It's not taught directly but we're always promoting being a good citizen. Last week for instance we had a litter-free week."

And what of that great sporting institution called Wimbledon? Graeme Moore, who is 17, says with a smile that "when it's Andy Murray, he's also called the British number one when he wins.

"But when he loses he's the Scottish number one. But Tim Henman, we always supported him as the English number one. Why can't they all be the same, why are they different?"

Being British, it seems, has never been easy to define although there are plenty of ideas at this school as to what it might mean to be British.