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The British soldier in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars
Historian article
Scum of the earth – or fine fellows?
Carole Divall asks whether the men of the British Army really were ‘the scum of the earth’, as often asserted, or willing soldiers who earned the respect of the French.
‘Soldiers were regarded as day labourers engaged in unsavoury business; a money...
The British soldier in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars
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‘I need to know…’: creating the conditions that make students want knowledge
Teaching History journal article
Chloe Bateman recognised the value to her Key Stage 3 pupils of developing rich subject knowledge, but wanted to find a way of encouraging them to value that knowledge for themselves. In this article she explains how she provided that inspiration by setting her Year 7 class the challenge of...
‘I need to know…’: creating the conditions that make students want knowledge
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English first-aid organisations and the Provisional IRA mainland bombing campaign of 1974
Historian article
Barry Doyle reveals how the devastating Provisional IRA bombing of two Birmingham public houses in 1974 led to a resurgence in first-aid training and preparation, on the scale with which we are familiar today.
English first-aid organisations and the Provisional IRA mainland bombing campaign of 1974
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‘It’s More Complex Than I Assumed’
IJHLTR Article
International Journal of Historical Learning, Teaching and Research [IJHLTR], Volume 15, Number 1 – Autumn/Winter 2017ISSN: 14472-9474
Abstract
As with many nations, the teaching of history in Australian schools is often contested. Two prevailing standpoints can be identified, the first of which, in broad terms, emphasises the acquisition of historical knowledge....
‘It’s More Complex Than I Assumed’
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IJHLTR International Journal Volume 15, Number 1
The International Journal of History Learning and Teaching
Editorial pp. 5–7Editorial: Identity, Nationalism And Thinking Historically
France pp. 8–23Anna Zadora, University of Strasbourg, FranceHistory Teaching In Belarus: Between Europe And Asia
Brazil pp. 24–33 Maria Auxiliadora Schmidt, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil The History Of Afro-Brazilian People: A Theme Of The Burdening History Of Brazil
Canada pp....
IJHLTR International Journal Volume 15, Number 1
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Using sites for insights
Teaching History article
Working alongside local history teachers to prepare for the new GCSE specifications Steve Illingworth and Emma Manners were struck that many teachers were concerned about two issues in particular: the breadth and depth of knowledge demanded and new forms of assessment, especially the historic environment paper. In this article they...
Using sites for insights
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Polychronicon 168: Interwar internationalisms
Teaching History feature
Research on the inter war years (1919-39) has exploded in recent years. Led by exciting studies of global and international institutions by Susan Pedersen, Patricia Clavin and Mark Mazower, historians have moved beyond narrowly political and diplomatic accounts of the leading personalities and agencies attached to key institutions such as...
Polychronicon 168: Interwar internationalisms
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Designing end-of-year exams: trials and tribulations
Teaching History article
Since the decline of the National Curriculum Level Descriptions, schools in England have been asked to design their own forms of assessment at Key Stage 3. This had led to a great deal of creativity, but also a number of challenges. In this article Matt Stanford reflects on his department’s...
Designing end-of-year exams: trials and tribulations
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From ‘double vision’ to panorama: exploring interpretations of Nazi popularity
Teaching History article
Jim Carroll relished the opportunity, in the new A-level specification he was teaching, to find an effective way of teaching his students to analyse interpretations in their coursework essays. Reflecting on the difficulties he had faced as a trainee teacher teaching younger pupils about interpretations, and dissatisfied with examination board...
From ‘double vision’ to panorama: exploring interpretations of Nazi popularity
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Primary Sources In Swedish And Australian History Textbooks
IJHLTR Article
International Journal of Historical Learning, Teaching and Research [IJHLTR], Volume 14, Number 2 – Spring/Summer 2017
ISSN: 14472-9474
Abstract
This article compares primary sources used in Swedish and Australian school History textbooks on the topic of the Vietnam War. The focus is on analysing representations of Kim Phuc, the young girl who was...
Primary Sources In Swedish And Australian History Textbooks
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The International Journal Volume 14, Number 2
IJHLTR
Editorial and Editorial Review pp. 5–28 Editorial pp. 5–6 Editorial Review pp. 7–28 Jon Nichol, The Historical Association of Great Britain, United Kingdom – England Hilary Cooper, University of Cumbria, United Kingdom – England
Austria pp. 29–39 Are Historical Thinking Skills Important To History Teachers? Some Findings From A Qualitative...
The International Journal Volume 14, Number 2
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Using the back cover image: Exploring the collections of Victorian naturalists
Primary History feature
Many museums around the country house natural history collections that offer children the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of species from around the world. Using the collections of Victorian explorers and naturalists offers children a historical perspective with a cross-curricular approach which has a great appeal. Yet for...
Using the back cover image: Exploring the collections of Victorian naturalists
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Primary History 103: Out now
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
Read Primary History 103
This edition appears too early to reflect the National Curriculum history refresh. Although this is being done by a team co-ordinated by the Historical Association and colleagues are already busy, there seems no point in giving in to speculation and idle gossip. The changes will be...
Primary History 103: Out now
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Exploring environmental impact alongside early skills development in the EYFS
Primary History article
Mary Potts draws on actual practice at St Patrick’s School in Liverpool to show how a focus on growth using seeds can help EYFS children understand ideas relevant to historical understanding such as change over time. Such potentially complex ideas can be made much more comprehensible to young children through...
Exploring environmental impact alongside early skills development in the EYFS
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Pupil voice with SEND pupils in primary history
Primary History article
In this article, Lorna Spencer suggests that pupil voice is particularly important with SEND children. At the same time, this can cause challenges, as the way it is done with mainstream pupils may not be feasible with SEND pupils. She suggests some ways in which challenge might be confronted...
Pupil voice with SEND pupils in primary history
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Local fires as a subject of historical enquiry
Primary History article
The Great Fire of London is a popular Key Stage 1 history topic. In this article, James explores the widespread occurrence of ‘great’ fires and the potential of local examples for historical enquiry. Comparison between London and these local fires allows for discussion of similarities and differences in terms of...
Local fires as a subject of historical enquiry
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Teaching primary history thematically – why it makes sense
Primary History article
Recognising that most schools deliver history as separate units that are then divided into themes, Nick Mackintosh argues that this means a lack of a narrative thread, which can result in children struggling to analyse it effectively. A thematic history curriculum is much better at developing children’s understanding of chronology,...
Teaching primary history thematically – why it makes sense
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Teaching the Maya in upper Key Stage 2
Primary History article
In this article, Jo identifies a rationale for learning about this civilisation and addresses some of the ways it can be taught, especially with older primary children. It includes a comparative enquiry with Anglo-Saxons. She also highlights how recent research has developed a greater understanding of the Maya and, at...
Teaching the Maya in upper Key Stage 2
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Times of transition: supporting pupils with the idea of change in history
Primary History article
This article considers how to help children to understand about the layered process of change by considering transition points between the Iron Age, Roman settlement of Britain, and the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons. It suggests activities that will encourage children to explore the idea of long-term change. These could be...
Times of transition: supporting pupils with the idea of change in history
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Times of transition: supporting pupils with the idea of change in history
Primary History article
This article considers how to help children to understand about the layered process of change by considering transition points between the Iron Age, Roman settlement of Britain, and the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons. It suggests activities that will encourage children to explore the idea of long-term change. These could be...
Times of transition: supporting pupils with the idea of change in history
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Planning a history unit of work from scratch
Primary History article
In this article, Rachel wrestles with one of the greatest challenges facing teachers. With the starting point maybe no more than a title or mass of content, how do you begin the process of formulating an exciting and worthwhile teaching programme? It aims to give some tips and ideas to...
Planning a history unit of work from scratch
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Developing a love of history through historical fiction
Primary History article
In this article, Steven Kenyon reminds us of the importance of historical fiction as part of good primary history. He examines its current role and, in this National Year of Reading, identifies a few of the best examples that can enhance the teaching of history, covering EYFS right up to...
Developing a love of history through historical fiction
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Have we become better at organising and running primary history visits?
Primary History article
Visits have been a mainstream of primary history for decades. In this article Tim Lomas looks at the way schools have approached history visits and how these have changed in recent years. There are examples of possible activities through the primary years and a summary of what seems to represent...
Have we become better at organising and running primary history visits?
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Primary History 103
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
Print copies of this edition will be arriving with members from Monday 8 June.
05 Editorial (Read article)
06 Planting seeds of past, present and future: exploring environmental impact alongside early skills development in the EYFS – Mary Potts (Read article)
11 Pupil voice with SEND pupils in primary history – Lorna Spencer (Read article)...
Primary History 103
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HA News, Spring 2026
Welcome to the spring 2026 edition of HA News magazine
Welcome to the first fully digital edition of HA News.
We have the final letter from current HA president Alexandra Walsham, and we introduce our new president James Daybell.
With our annual conference in Newcastle Gateshead just around the corner we give our pick of 10 things to do and...
HA News, Spring 2026
