The series consists of six webinar recordings, each lasting approximately 1 hour. The webinar series was originally recorded in Summer 2025.

Why teach history directly?
In this opening session, Jacob and Mike will outline what they mean by direct history teaching. They will explain how this differs from some methods that have become common in history teaching – and why a more direct approach can be more effective, inclusive, and enjoyable for pupils.

Teaching substantive knowledge directly
In this second session, Jacob and Mike will share how history teachers can teach substantive knowledge (what we know about the past) in more direct ways – whilst still challenging and engaging pupils. They will share ideas about using lean resources and high-quality images, worldbuilding through storytelling, and building lessons around extended texts.

Teaching the whole class
In this third session, Jacob and Mike will argue that a history teacher should always be a sage on the stage – and not a guide on the side. They will share strategies that allow history teachers to drive learning for an entire class, ensuring that all pupils pay attention, take part in the lesson, and feel successful.

Teaching disciplinary knowledge directly: interpretations
In this fourth session, Jacob and Mike will explore how history teachers can teach disciplinary knowledge (how we know about the past) directly – specifically, historical interpretations. They will share examples of lessons that directly teach pupils how historians (and others) have constructed interpretations about the past.

Teaching disciplinary knowledge directly: sources
In this fifth session, Jacob and Mike will argue that 'source work' often doesn’t work. They will suggest that common classroom approaches to sources are often ineffective and inaccessible. Instead, they will share examples of lessons that teach pupils very directly about sources – rather than getting them to do 'source work'.

Teaching language directly
In this sixth and final session, Jacob and Mike will explain how history teachers can teach words and phrases very directly to their pupils. They will suggest that 'drill and thrill' – rather than laminated word mats – can make the language of history more accessible and enjoyable for pupils.

The course is aimed at anyone who teaches history at Key Stage 3 or 4.

If you are looking for new methods or simply curious about different approaches to history teaching, this series offers ideas to help make your history teaching rigorous and meaningful.

This webinar series will enable you  to:

• • learn how history can be taught more directly
• • try direct history teaching approaches in your classroom

The webinars will be led by Mike Hill and Jacob Olivey, who both teach history at Ark Soane Academy, London.

Each webinar is charged at £10 for HA members and £15 for non-members (VAT is zero-rated). You must be logged in to your membership account to access the member rate.

We are able to offer the webinars in this series at a subsidised cost as the presenters' time has been partially funded by their school, Ark Soane Academy.

You can purchase and access each set of webinars using the links provided. Once you have purchased each webinar, the recording will be available to view at the bottom of the relevant resource page until the stated expiry date.

Expiry date: 6 January 2028

Payment is available by card only. We are unable to arrange block purchases or issue invoices, but VAT receipts are available upon request.