Primary Teachers need more training for history and they have ideas about what the want to teach

The Historical Association has carried out a survey of Primary teachers across England and Wales revealing that training for teachers at that level is one of their biggest concerns. Primary School Teachers may not have studied history beyond the age of 14 making training crucial but the survey found that:

• 49% (108) of respondents had received little or no training for their role as history coordinator.
• Only 11% said that they had received training.
• According to the cohort of 222 teachers, of the 187 respondents to this question, 56 % said they had received little or no training.
• 60% of teachers said lack of subject CPD was a concern with a further 31% saying that it could become a concern.

It came as no surprise then that the Historical Association supported the recent findings of the Ofsted report that teaching at primary level was often episodic rather that fitting a large narrative. The fact that the level of quality often delivered at that level is still good is down to the dedication and enthusiasm of some teachers for history as a subject.

With training as a key problem, links could be drawn to the findings that many teachers did not assess primary history affecting how a young person's understanding of the subject is judged - 31.5% did not assess attainment in history. 46.5% did not share assessment info in history with parents/carers. A lack of assessment influences why many pupils are not being pushed to develop skills that they need to understand history. 60% of respondents picked out assessment as something the curriculum needed to develop.

But its not all bad news the survey revealed that teachers enjoy teaching history and that they support the National Curriculum. Teachers include a strong emphasis on British history and they have strong ideas about what should be included in any reforms to that curriculum. The subjects and themes that they think should be included reflect the important role they believe historical understanding has in all children's development and knowledge about the world they live in.

The Historical Association is playing an important role contributing to the review of the National Curriculum, the survey's findings and the teachers concerns and needs will be shared with DfE and the historians Simon Schama and Niall Ferguson appointed by Michael Gove to examine the future of history.

"Overall we at the Historical Association know that history is popular amongst young people, we know that many primary teachers are keen to deliver history but the lack of training and assessment leaves us with a mixed picture of how successfully it is being taught." Rebecca Sullivan CEO Historical Association

 

About the Historical Association

The Historical Association is an independent charity incorporated by Royal Charter. It has been supporting the study and enjoyment of history since 1906. With over 6000 members the HA is the major national organisation representing the case for an historical education to policy makers and ministers. We advise on curriculum issues at all levels and campaign for access to specialist historical knowledge and collections.

For further information regarding this release or the primary survey please contact Paula Kitching pkitching@hotmail.com 07720809481