History has often been described as an umbrella subject. This is because the nature of history means that we must learn something about the past and this something will encapsulate learning from other subject areas. However, while the history taught in your school can be enriched by other subject areas, it is also important to remember that the subject has its own disciplinary integrity. As a subject leader of history, you will need to work with other subject leaders to ensure that any cross-subject links are meaningful and that your curriculum choices enable all pupils to make progress in their knowledge and understanding of history.

In this guide Helen Crawford looks at how this can effectively work in practice and aspects you will need to consider. Kerry Somers and Glenn Carter also provide two case studies to demonstrate how this works practically in the context of their own schools.

Helen is the Chair of the Historical Association Primary Committee. She has worked in primary schools for twenty years as a class teacher, history coordinator, phase leader, inclusion manager and deputy head. Most of her teaching career has been in inner-London, but she has also taught in schools in Japan and The Gambia. She currently works as a Senior Lecturer in primary education at the University of Northampton and as an independent consultant and author. 

  

This resource is part of the HA primary subject leaders’ area, available exclusively to Corporate primary members.