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Primary History Articles for the School History Subject Leader
Multipage Article
The Historical Association has been producing its specialist primary journal Primary History since 1992. In that time there have been three editions per year and since 2017 an additional annual digital summer resource.
In 1992 a National Curriculum for history had recently emerged as had the Ofsted inspection process. Since...
Primary History Articles for the School History Subject Leader
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One of my favourite history places: The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Primary History feature
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a special place, not just for its stunning scenery and rich bird life, but also for its unique history and medieval religious heritage. This article visits a few of the many places of historical interest on the island and considers ideas for exploring different...
One of my favourite history places: The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
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Ideas for Assemblies: Linking historical events with geography
Primary History article
In this edition we highlight some interesting anniversaries that might provide a link with geography, either through maps, ideas about climate change or conservation and protection of wild animals. We hope these anniversaries might inspire some stimulating historical investigations, as well as provoke lots of discussion and debate. Some of...
Ideas for Assemblies: Linking historical events with geography
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What’s important about...? Sources and evidence
Primary History article
In this timely article, Ailsa Fidler and Chris Russell explore the use of sources and evidence in the teaching of primary history. Referring to Ofsted’s history subject report (July 2023), Ailsa and Chris explore how sources can be used effectively in the classroom and how children’s understanding of the role...
What’s important about...? Sources and evidence
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Primary History 52: Education and the Environment
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
03 Editorial
04 In my view: Education and the built environment – Dominic Balmforth
06 In my view: Primary history and Engaging Places – Rochelle Whitty
08 In my view: Engaging Pupils: An A Level student describes her experience of collaborative working with Key Stage 2 – Bernice Waghorn
09...
Primary History 52: Education and the Environment
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History and language
Primary History article
Literacy was at the heart of the Nuffield Primary History Project. The paper below summarises the eight linguistic areas which were a major focus. Here there is considerable congruence with the proposed 2014 NC for English and Literacy with its language across the curriculum focus...
History and language
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History and identity
Article
A sense of identity is at the heart of the proposed new NC for History. Sir Keith explores what this means for immigrant children of mixed heritage who grew up in Britain. Significantly, the last sentence of his paper dovetails with the government's views...
History and identity
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Bringing the Civil War to life in Somerset
Primary History article
As a lecturer in education teaching humanities at Plymouth University, I spend my time encouraging student teachers to move away from writing lesson plans with a focus on research and recording, to creating lessons that are dynamic – engaging children in historical activities to develop a passion for history. Student...
Bringing the Civil War to life in Somerset
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How a history club can work for you and your pupils
Primary History article
Bev Forrest writes: As part of my role as a Historical Association Quality Mark assessor I am privileged to visit schools across the country. In the autumn of 2019, I ventured out into Essex to carry out an assessment at Dilkes Academy. I was delighted to recommend gold status for...
How a history club can work for you and your pupils
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Primary History 46: Editorial: History, Citizenship and the Curriculum - A Fit Purpose
Primary History article
Read Primary History 46
In AD 62 an earthquake devastated the town of Pompeii. In AD 1976 Jim Callaghan in his Ruskin speech set off a seismic shock that shook education to its foundations. Almost two decades after the 62 AD Pompeii earthquake’s warning signs the volcanic explosion of Vesuvius...
Primary History 46: Editorial: History, Citizenship and the Curriculum - A Fit Purpose
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Your Local Railway: a local history investigation in Key Stage 2
Primary History article
In this article Tim Lomas discusses one of the best resourced themes you can find: your local railway.
Railways make one of the best themes for a historical study. No place has ever been far from a railway station even if Dr Beeching wiped out one-third of the network in...
Your Local Railway: a local history investigation in Key Stage 2
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A view from the Editor’s desk 1997–2006
Primary History article
This article is free to everyone. For access to hundreds of other high-quality resources by primary history experts along with free or discounted CPD and membership of a thriving community of teachers and subject leaders, join the Historical Association today
Congratulations on the publication of the 100th issue of Primary...
A view from the Editor’s desk 1997–2006
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Teaching history through photographs in the internet and digital age
Primary History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content and links may be outdated.
Images allow us to step back in time and ask important historical questions such as ‘Were the Victorians just like us?' Growing digitisation and the spread of the internet allow teachers and learners...
Teaching history through photographs in the internet and digital age
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History is literacy: 'doing history' with written and printed sources
Primary History article
Introduction: English, Literacy & History - The Bullock Report
In 1975 the British government published a very great and wise man, Lord Bullock's report, on the teaching of English. Lord Bullock, a world-class historian, worked closely and intensely with distinguished figures in the teaching of English [literacy]. Lord Bullock, with...
History is literacy: 'doing history' with written and printed sources
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Using some more unusual sources in the primary classroom
Primary History article
In this article Tim Lomas illustrates how it is valid and creative to go beyond some of the most popular sources used by primary history teachers. He looks at a number of historical enquiries and questions that might be considered as a theme and some sources that might be used....
Using some more unusual sources in the primary classroom
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Case Study: Children's questions about historical pictures
Primary History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content and links may be outdated.
Pictures are an important source of evidence for children to use to find out about the past. They have an immediate impact and children of all ages and abilities find that they have...
Case Study: Children's questions about historical pictures
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She sells seashells by the seashore: teaching Mary Anning at Key Stage 1
Primary History article
Mary Anning was a fascinating individual who would be a purposeful addition to a history curriculum. This article outlines the rationale behind including her as a significant individual but also offers ideas for developing young children’s understanding of historical interpretations.
She sells seashells by the seashore: teaching Mary Anning at Key Stage 1
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Primary History 42: Getting Out
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
04 HA Centenary Day and Competition
05 Editorial
06 Primary Noticeboard
08 In My View: the debate upon the English National Curriculum for history at KS2 — Robert Guyver and Jon Nichol
11 The Taunton Market Project: an innovative collaboration — Sue Berry
14 Geography and history: exploring the local...
Primary History 42: Getting Out
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Primary History 30: Discovering the past
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
3 Editorial – Penelope Harnett
3 Primary Noticeboard – Tim Lomas
4 How do we ensure really good local history in primary schools? – Tim Lomas (Read article)
7 Research the history of the fire service in the local community – Jayne Pascoe (Read article)
10 Children, the internet and...
Primary History 30: Discovering the past
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Teaching black British history through local archives
Primary History article
The huge benefits that local archives can bring to primary history are explored by Steven Kenyon. He illustrates this with a case study of Lancashire Archives. The central focus is on ways in which local history can support diversity in the curriculum by providing three examples – one for Key Stage...
Teaching black British history through local archives
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Primary History 34: What the Dickens?
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
3 Editorial
4 Primary Noticeboard
6 In My View: Enjoying a good story – Paul Bracey
9 Breadth, Balance and the Literacy Hour – Roger Beard
11 “But why did Guy Fawkes try to blow up the king, Miss?” Investigating support for explanatory understanding in primary history books – A....
Primary History 34: What the Dickens?
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Primary History 36: Through the viewfinder
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
3 Editorial
4 Primary Noticeboard
6 In My View: ‘History at Three. Over my Dead Body!’ – Hilary Cooper
8 Optional Assessment Materials for History at Key Stage 2 – Elin Jones
10 History co-ordinators’ dilemmas: Tim Lomas and Keith Dickson
12 A Load Of Rubbish: Using Victorian throwaways in...
Primary History 36: Through the viewfinder
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Helping pupils to view historical film critically
Primary History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum.
Introduction: The teaching potential of film
Films about historical events seem like the nearest thing we can give our pupils to a time machine. In commercial film, the physical appearance of the past has often been carefully researched, thus a snippet from...
Helping pupils to view historical film critically
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Case Study: Historical information and the local community
Primary History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum.
The ICT revolution
A paper register, a pink-lined A4 mark book and a written school log book are surely historical artefacts? The transition from paper to digital technology continues, changing the world of the classroom teacher whose working life like mine,...
Case Study: Historical information and the local community
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The digital revolution
Primary History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum.
Developments in information technology continue at an extraordinary pace. Many young children will have little or no idea of what it was like to live in a world without mobile phones, computers and the Internet.
Most children will regularly make use...
The digital revolution
