they could give examples of contentious or controversial issues that might arise in the classroom, but gave few examples of being taught controversial issues in their own schooling or having participated in or witnessed the teaching of a controversial issue on teaching practice. There was, however, concern and a lack of certainty about how honest teachers could be with pupils: ‘Can we disclose our beliefs?’, ‘Can we take a position on an issue?’ were common issues. However, the advice from one student was, ‘Don’t ask others what you would not like them to ask you’. Both tutors and students in England noted that at the time of the American–British invasion of Iraq, some schools had banned discussion of the war for fear of the hostilities it might arouse.