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Dramatising Boudicca and the Celts
Primary History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the current National Curriculum and some content and links are outdated.
The story of Boudicca lends itself equally well to both history and drama. As a key part of work on ‘The Romans', it is an example of how history and drama when used together can contribute to...
Dramatising Boudicca and the Celts
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Primary History 100
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
It is difficult to remember the precarious position of history in...
Primary History 100
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Primary History 100
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
This edition of HA's Primary History magazine is currently free to download via the link at the bottom of the page. For a subscription to Primary History (published termly), plus access to our huge library of high-quality resources by primary history experts, free or discounted CPD and membership of a...
Primary History 100
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Primary History 99
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
05 Editorial (Read article)
06 Using children’s illustrators as a focus for learning about ‘Past and Present’ in EYFS – Helen Crawford (Read article)
10 Developing disciplinary knowledge: pulling up the portcullis to explore how and why castles and forts developed – Susie Townsend (Read article)
18 Little coins, big...
Primary History 99
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‘Golden threads’ in primary history
Primary History article
The term ‘golden threads’ has become increasingly part of primary history planning. It is often recommended as a means of avoiding curriculum atomisation and aiding retrieval. In this article Tim Lomas attempts to unpack what is meant by the term, what are some of the most popular ‘golden threads’ and...
‘Golden threads’ in primary history
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Effective implementation in primary history
Primary History article
In this useful article, Matt Flynn uses the Education Endowment Foundation implementation process (2024) to exemplify how history subject leaders can affect positive whole school change and develop their history provision in line with their school’s needs. He shares the process through a developed example, providing an excellent scaffold that history...
Effective implementation in primary history
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Primary History 98
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
05 Editorial (Read article)
06 Who is in charge? – Helen Crawford and Karin Doull (Read article)
10 Building history connections with the local community: how one Quality Mark School showed that ambition reaps rewards – Rachael Gorczyca (Read article)
14 Musings and misconceptions about Remembrance Day – Susie Townsend...
Primary History 98
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Disability in primary history teaching
Primary History article
This article is based on a session by Bev Forrest and Mel Jones at the HA Conference in May 2024. The central concern is to support teachers to weave the experiences and lives of disabled people in the past into the primary curriculum. It looks at possible opportunities in EYFS, Key Stage 1...
Disability in primary history teaching
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The role of oracy in primary history
Primary History article
East-the-Water is a primary school in Bideford, Devon. It has recently been awarded a Gold Award Quality Mark. Among many strong features, one was the emphasis on using oracy effectively in history. In this article, Kelly Bridle outlines its role, especially in connecting periods and events across the history curriculum using a range of connectors,...
The role of oracy in primary history
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Primary History 97
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
05 Editorial (Read article)
06 Similarity and difference with a tasty twist: ice cream with EYFS – Polly Gillow (Read article)
10 Olympics, past and present – Karin Doull (Read article)
18 Active learners: classroom strategies for enhancing history teaching – Lindsey Rawes (Read article)
24 Creativity in history – Kerry...
Primary History 97
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The potential of primary history
Primary History article
In this article Alison Kitson and Michael Riley consider the potential of the primary history curriculum to educate children about climate change and sustainability. They suggest some important principles, and a range of strategies, that could be used to develop a stronger emphasis on environmental history in primary history.
The potential of primary history
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Course: Becoming an effective primary history subject leader
Immersive online course for new, experienced and aspiring history leaders
Book Now
(Registration is via Cademy which opens in a new window. Please read the HA CPD terms and conditions before registering)
Autumn 2025 cohort
Start date: Wednesday 15 October 2025, 4pm–5.30pm
What does this course cover?
This is an immersive online course for developing history leadership in primary teaching. It covers the...
Course: Becoming an effective primary history subject leader
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Is primary history thriving?
Article
The 2022 Historical Association survey of primary schools drew a good response. The results have been evaluated. The full report has been published on the website but this article summarises the main findings and suggested strategies to take the subject further. Its findings help direct the resources of the HA....
Is primary history thriving?
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Primary History 94
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
05 Editorial (Read article - open access)
06 Is primary history thriving? What the recent survey of primary history seems to be telling us – Tim Lomas (Read article)
10 Using picture books to explore ideas around history with very young children – Karin Doull (Read article)
14 Significant people: why it’s...
Primary History 94
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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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Routes into primary teaching
HA guide
In some teacher training courses, the amount of training to teach history is relatively little. Once you have completed your training and ECT years (Early Career Teacher), it is important to know how you can improve and develop your knowledge and expertise in history. This can be achieved by developing...
Routes into primary teaching
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English Heritage and Historical Association Local Heritage Project
Article
One year ago (2011), the south eastern branch of English Heritage and the Historical Association came together to see what we could do better in partnership. The outcome was the Local Heritage Partnership Project. The vision was to work together to provide access to and inspiration to carry out local...
English Heritage and Historical Association Local Heritage Project
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Research review series: History – July 2021
Primary History article
In this summary, Tim Lomas identifies key points presented in the history research review. Includes work of Ofsted Research and Evaluation Team.
1. More schools now seem to have adequate time for history. In primary, 1–2 hours a fortnight and in secondary, 2–4 hours. Provisional entries for 2021’s history GCSE...
Research review series: History – July 2021
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Embedding progress in historical vocabulary teaching
Primary History article
The current focus on a knowledge-rich curriculum, in which the intent and impact should be clearly identified, has seen many subject leaders scrutinising and reworking the history curriculum within their contexts.
As part of this, specific vocabulary, be it conceptual or otherwise, has been highlighted, and word lists are appearing...
Embedding progress in historical vocabulary teaching
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Significance at Key Stage 1
Significance at KS1
Teaching significant individuals remains a key element in Key Stage 1. Significance is an extremely difficult concept to develop with young children, so how do we sow the seeds? This unit looks at just one approach for developing early ideas of significance with young children through the individuals of the...
Significance at Key Stage 1
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How the Quality Mark for history can support you as a subject leader
Article
Whether you have been a history subject lead for a while or are new to the role, the HA’s Quality Mark (QM) for Primary History can help to support you in developing the subject in your school.
In this guide experienced Quality Mark assessor and primary educator Sue Temple outlines...
How the Quality Mark for history can support you as a subject leader
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Filmed Lecture: Medlicott Lecture 2025 - Dr Christine Counsell
Dr Christine Counsell
The Historical Association's Medlicott Medal 2025 was awarded to Dr Christine Counsell. The award seeks to recognise individuals from a diversity of backgrounds in their service to history. Read more about Christine, her work and her award here.
As is the custom, Dr Christine Counsell received her award and presented her...
Filmed Lecture: Medlicott Lecture 2025 - Dr Christine Counsell
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Significance and interpretation in primary history
Primary History article
The terms ‘significance’ and ‘interpretation’ often go hand in hand with one another, but what do each of them mean and why is it that they fit together? Understanding both terms separately and how historians use interpretation to identify what is significant in history, and why historians cast their interpretations as to what...
Significance and interpretation in primary history
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History through connecting classrooms in Bradford and Peshawar, Pakistan
Primary History article
Editorial note: In this inspiring, teacher-led, crossphase project, pupils and teachers from eight schools in Bradford and Peshawar shared and learned about the histories of Bradford and Pakistan. The British Council’s Connecting Classrooms Scheme funded the project. The article below focuses on the primary dimension.
In 2008 three representatives from Bradford...
History through connecting classrooms in Bradford and Peshawar, Pakistan
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Ofsted and primary history
Primary History article
Firstly, I would like to introduce myself as Ofsted’s new Subject Lead for history.
Despite the many challenges of the past year, it is an exciting time for history education. I am very pleased that the number of primary history teachers who are now part of the HA community has...
Ofsted and primary history
