Briefing Packs

In a busy world, sometimes you just need that update or issue explained in a nutshell. The Historical Association briefing packs provide succinct essential support for a range of issues affecting primary history teaching and learning. In addition our topic briefing packs provide an excellent starting point to learn more about particular historical periods, people and events. 

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  • Britain Since 1930

    Multipage Article

    This Topic Pack gives you a brief summary on Britain since 1930.

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  • Primary Topic Websites

    Article

    Please note: these links are now over 10 years old and some may no longer work  We have put together a short list of websites that may be useful for teaching particular topics. Please note this is not an exhaustive list, the sites are not necessarily ones we endorse and are...

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  • Ancient Egypt: topic pack

    Multipage Article

    The Topic Pack gives you a brief summary on Ancient Egypt. It includes sections on Ancient Egyptian society, trade and the River Nile, and key people.

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  • Indus Valley

    Multipage Article

    The names and stories of the people and their cities are a mystery, their ideographic script yet to be deciphered. So how do we know the ruined cities of the Indus Valley belonged to a unique civilisation, forgotten for millennia?

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  • Ancient Greece: topic pack

    Multipage Article

    A Topic Pack on Ancient Greece, with sections on Ancient Greek Society, Wars in Ancient Greece, and How do we know about the Ancient Greeks?

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  • The Victorians

    Multipage Article

    The Topic Pack gives you a brief summary of the Victorians.

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  • Cambridge Primary Review 2009

    Article

    We are sure that you are aware by now of the findings of the Cambridge Primary Review. The author, Robin Alexander has been working recently to disseminate information and give teachers and primary education professionals the chance to discuss the priorities for primary education. These ideas, based around the key...

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  • History: Using Stories

    Article

    ‘Making the past present and bringing the distant near' Thomas Babington Macaulay 1828 Smollett's constitutional HistoryAs a teacher covering some area of primary history such as Florence Nightingale or Victorian Britain have you ever heard the dreaded words from a child ‘So what?' This can actually be a front for...

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  • Teaching Slavery

    Article

    Please note: this guide was written in 2010 and some links may no longer work. For more recent guidance, see:  Teaching sensitive subjects: slavery and Britain’s role in the trade (2019) Slavery in Britain (2013) Sarah Forbes Bonetta - scheme of work (2015) Diversity guidance for primary teachers and subject leaders (2019) Teaching Slavery...

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  • Community cohesion and the prevention of violent extremism

    Multipage Article

    A series of key stage targeted activities and schemes of work for promoting community cohesion and the prevention of violent extremism.

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  • Assessment for learning in Primary History

    Multipage Article

    A Guide to Assessment for learning in Primary History

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  • Supporting Gifted and Talented

    Article

    It is a long way from a poor background as the son of a Greek-Cypriot postman to that of a life peer and junior minister in the British government. Yet Andrew Adonis is on record as having his youthful imagination fired by primary history, with a love of the subject...

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