Researching, writing and presenting ideas about a historical theme or period are skills that can support a young person’s educational development and personal wellbeing throughout their formal education journey. The Historical Association (led by the Mid-Trent and Mercia HA Branch) in collaboration with the Spirit of Normandy Trust has organised...

Telling a story about the events, peoples and places of the past is one of the oldest forms of creating an historical legacy. Those stories help to reveal as well as enrich the past, creating a place for investigation as well as fascination. That is why we want to harness...

Each year, the Historical Association runs ‘Young Quills’, a competition for published historical fiction for children and young adults (14+). The Young Quills books for each year must be published for the first time in English in the year preceding the competition – so 2025 for this year’s selection. Our...

The 2026 competition is now open. Entries close on 17 July 2026 (3 July for overseas entries). We want young people to get the bug for writing about history in an interesting and critical way. Each year the Historical Association in collaboration with the Spirit of Normandy Trust and Classics for All offers a...

Please note: entries for this year’s competition have now closed. Winners will be announced by the end of October 2026. Each year we are so impressed by the ever-increasing number and standard of entries we receive around such a wide range of historical periods and settings. You can take a look at...

Talking History is now into its second year and gathering speed. Following the pattern of The Great Debate but adapted for Years 5 and 6 the competition seeks to encourage young people’s history and oracy skills through a public presentation. Schools are encouraged to enter their pupils into the online...

Spirit of Normandy Trust SeniorAvani De Santis [Guildford Grammar School, Western Australia]Kyle Luk [Loughborough Grammar School] Caspar Wright [Wells Cathedral School] Spirit of Normandy Trust Key Stage 3 Anne Andrews [St Mary’s Menston Catholic Voluntary Academy, Leeds]Rafferty Ludlow-Maisey [Crypt Grammar School, Gloucester]Robert Moczynski [Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield] Spirit of...

Each year, the Historical Association runs the Young Quills, a competition for published historical fiction for children and young adults (14+). The Young Quills books for each year must be published for the first time in English in the year preceding the competition – so 2024 for this year’s selection....