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One of my favourite history places: Luxor, Egypt
Primary History feature
History teacher in Cairo; oh, my word! Living in Cairo for the past four years enabled me to explore the country to a degree not possible as a visitor. Based in Maadi to the south of the old Islamic city, I live about 20 minutes’ walk from the Nile. A...
One of my favourite history places: Luxor, Egypt
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What’s the importance of… sound?
Primary History article
In this article, Susie Townsend considers how to use sound to enhance our teaching in history. She looks at the importance of auditory learning and suggests how we might incorporate a range of sound into our history lessons...
What’s the importance of… sound?
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Ancient Sumer: the cradle of civilisation
Primary History article
In 1936 the next eagerly awaited Agatha Christie novel had just been published and readers were transported to a region that, from 1922 had been named Iraq, but through history had been part of Mesopotamia. The plot focuses on an archaeological dig that was taking place there, the victim is...
Ancient Sumer: the cradle of civilisation
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Primary History 92
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
04 Editorial (Read article for free)
06 HA Update
08 Teaching about Remembrance Day in EYFS – Jenny Munro, Paige Hazell, Tanya Wasik, Rianna Kelly and Helen Crawford (Read article)
12 The new King – Karin Doull (Read article)
16 ‘Remember, remember the Fifth of November!’ Where might the Gunpowder Plot sit...
Primary History 92
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Primary History 91
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
04 Editorial (Read article for free)
06 HA Update
10 Exploring the past through active enquiry – Karin Doull (Read article)
13 Coherence in primary history: how can we get children to see that their history links up? – Tim Lomas (Read article)
20 The Great Exhibition of 1851: teaching a significant...
Primary History 91
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Supporting historical understanding in the EYFS through the context of families
Primary History article
This article explores how historical understanding can be developed with our very youngest children using a theme of families as a starting point. It considers all the age ranges identified within the Early Years Framework. It demonstrate how progression can be developed across those age ranges...
Supporting historical understanding in the EYFS through the context of families
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Planning a unit: ‘Do the Vikings deserve their bloodthirsty reputation?’
Primary History article
This article describes how a unit on the Vikings was planned and developed through creative and challenging activites that engaged children’s interest and imagination...
Planning a unit: ‘Do the Vikings deserve their bloodthirsty reputation?’
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Making history stick: why experiential learning matters in the primary classroom
Primary History article
Scott Cairns considers why we might want to bring elements of experiential learning into our own classrooms and how we might go about it. He provides some ideas for how to set up scenarios to provide immersive experiences for the children...
Making history stick: why experiential learning matters in the primary classroom
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A primary teacher on the Rolf Schild and Holocaust Educational Trust Professional Recognition Award
Primary History article
This article describes a CPD experience in Holocaust education with the Holocaust Educational Trust. It reflects the teacher’s own learning experience, considering the value of CPD, especially when considering how to approach teaching challenging historical events...
A primary teacher on the Rolf Schild and Holocaust Educational Trust Professional Recognition Award
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Primary History 90
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
04 Editorial (Read article)
06 HA Update
10 Jubilee medals: celebration and creation – Polly Gillow (Read article)
12 The Queen in procession – Karin Doull (Read article)
15 Significance and interpretation: what are these concepts and why are they important in primary history? – Glenn Carter (Read article)
22 Happy and Glorious:...
Primary History 90
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Primary History 104
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
Please note: print copies of this addition will arrive with members from 21 October.
05 Editorial (Read article)
06 Supporting historical understanding in the EYFS through the context of families – Helen Matt (Read article)
10 Making history stick: why experiential learning matters in the primary classroom – Scott Cairns (Read...
Primary History 104
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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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Teaching historical significance and diversity in Key Stage 1
Primary History article
Mae Jemison is a groundbreaking individual who provides a purposeful and diverse addition to the history curriculum. This article outlines the rationale for pairing her with Neil Armstrong through an enquiry-led approach, while offering practical ideas for developing young children’s understanding of disciplinary concepts such as evidence, similarity and historical...
Teaching historical significance and diversity in Key Stage 1
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Lest we forget
Primary History article
Early Years classrooms are often celebrated for their creativity, playfulness and child-led exploration. Yet they are also powerful spaces for nurturing children’s emerging sense of identity, community and connection to the past. At Ayr Grammar Early Years Centre in South Ayrshire, one practitioner, Joanne, has demonstrated exceptional practice in history teaching...
Lest we forget
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How have schools interpreted the new EYFS Framework?
Primary History article
The new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework became statutory from this September (2021). Although the seven areas of learning and development remain unchanged (including Understanding the World), the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) have changed within each of these areas. These new ELGs have been written so that they are...
How have schools interpreted the new EYFS Framework?
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British Museum in your Classroom
Primary History article
This article describes work undertaken by Tees Valley Museums and the British Library to explore artefacts with primary children. The project integrated cross-curricular learning to enhance children’s engagement with an unfamiliar period and culture. It describes how classroom museums can be created and how these can benefit school and community...
British Museum in your Classroom
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Celebrating history across your school: why displays matter
Primary History article
This article explores how displays of historical learning celebrate key understanding, promote engagement and enhance the school environment. The difference is highlighted between what constitutes a display and what is a working wall. The pictured displays demonstrate the school’s commitment to an inclusive and diverse history curriculum...
Celebrating history across your school: why displays matter
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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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Primary History summer resource 2026: Non-fiction in the history classroom
Primary member resource
‘Print reading matters’: this is one of the conclusions of the National Literacy Trust (NLT) report. Research has shown that print reading is still central to most children’s reading experiences, especially within school. It also shows that confidence and strong reading skills in print reading underpin effective reading across all formats. Those who...
Primary History summer resource 2026: Non-fiction in the history classroom
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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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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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Developing historical understanding across all areas of the EYFS framework
Primary History article
Children in nursery and reception classes do not, of course, learn history. They meet the subject for the first time when they start Year 1. However, what children learn – and how they learn – in EYFS is important for preparing them to learn history. This goes beyond building knowledge...
Developing historical understanding across all areas of the EYFS framework
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What is characteristic of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Primary History article
In this article, Karin Doull examines some characteristic features of the Indus Valley Civilisation and considers what these might tell us about this fascinating, less well-known empire...
What is characteristic of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
