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Florence Nightingale
Primary History resource
Born: May 1820; Died: August 1910
Background and early life
Florence Nightingale was born to a wealthy evangelical family in Florence, Italy in 1820. She was named after her place of birth. It was normal at the time for girls from wealthy families to be educated at home by a governess,...
Florence Nightingale
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The Last Duke of Lorraine
Article
The Place Stanislas in Nancy has a high reputation. But expectations are far surpassed as one surveys the beautifully proportioned square, with its imposing buildings such as the Hôtel de Ville and the Governor's Palace, its Arc de Triomphe and its magnificent iron work. It is a reminder of how...
The Last Duke of Lorraine
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Film: The Kennedys and the Gores
HA Conference 2019 - Keynote Speech
This film was taken at the HA Annual Conference 2019 in Chester and features the HA's President: Professor Tony Badger who presented Friday's keynote lecture.
Find out more about the HA Conference.
In a country that prides itself on its egalitarianism and its democracy, it is perhaps surprising that family...
Film: The Kennedys and the Gores
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Primary History 43: Time and Time Again
Journal
05 Editorial
06 Primary Noticeboard
09 In My View: working with historical picture books — Carole French
10 Time past: working with historical picture books — Fiona Collins (Read article)
14 ’Discovery visits’: what's new at English Heritage for schools? — Kate Whitworth
17 Think Bubble
18 How should we...
Primary History 43: Time and Time Again
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Insights from a year of leading the development of a ‘knowledge-rich curriculum’
Primary History article
Raynville Primary School serves a highly disadvantaged area of West Leeds and we work hard to provide our children with the best opportunities to learn and enjoy their time with us. One jewel in the crown of our school’s curriculum is children’s historical learning as part of a knowledge-rich curriculum....
Insights from a year of leading the development of a ‘knowledge-rich curriculum’
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HA Annual Conference 2026: call for papers
Workshop proposals open until 7 November
The HA Annual Conference will be held in Newcastle in 2026. This two-day conference on 15-16 May is a leading highlight of the history community's year. It brings together all those working in and who have an active interest in history and heritage. With top-level academics, pedagogical sessions and discussion panels, the conference is...
HA Annual Conference 2026: call for papers
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Oral history, a powerful tool or a double edged sword?
Primary History article
We all agree that oral history is a particularly powerful and attractive method for children to gather evidence and appreciate the real life relevance of history. From the Early Years to Year 6, many of us look deliberately for the opportunities to bring a visitor into the classroom, who will...
Oral history, a powerful tool or a double edged sword?
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Primary History 81
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
04 Editorial (Read article)
05 HA Primary News
08 Riding along on my pushbike… exploring transport in EYFS – Helen Crawford (Read article)
11 Three first-class ladies – teaching significant individuals in Key Stage 1: Harriet Quimby, Hilda Hewlett and Bessie Coleman – Karin Doull (Read article)
17 Assessment and feedback in...
Primary History 81
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Primary History 79
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
04 Editorial (Read article)
05 HA Primary News
08 Using role-play to develop young children’s understanding of the past – Lisa MacGregor (Read article)
11 Writing books for young children about the First World War – Hilary Robinson (Read article)
12 What confuses primary pupils in history? Part 2 –...
Primary History 79
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Shropshire's Secret Olympic History
Primary History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content may be outdated.
What has a small Shropshire town got to do with the modern Olympic Games? Why is a country doctor a key figure in the development of the modern games? Why is one of the 2012 mascots...
Shropshire's Secret Olympic History
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Primary History 88
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
04 Editorial (Read article for free)
05 HA Primary News
06 HA Update
10 How to make a toy museum – Jenny Wilkie (Read article)
12 Arthur Wharton: the world’s first professional black footballer – Matthew Sossick (Read article)
16 Just a pile of stones? Exploring the Rollright Stones as...
Primary History 88
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Primary History Survey 2024: the results
The HA's biennial survey of history in primary schools
Children love history – it is accessible, interesting, there is a growth in diversity of content and it is inclusive for different abilities, according to our survey. This is down to the hard work and dedication of their teaching and support staff. It is great news for our young people....
Primary History Survey 2024: the results
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Primary History 92: Out now
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
Read Primary History 92
It seems like such a short while ago that we were all joyfully celebrating the platinum jubilee (or platy joobs) and yet this edition contains an article focused on our new monarch, King Charles III, and some of the changes we are having to get used...
Primary History 92: Out now
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Teacher trainees writing history
Primary History article
Please note: this resource pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content and links may be outdated.
Introduction
I would like to share some Cumbria University Year 4 primary history specialist student's written work with you. These students who are in their final year have just completed their last assignment...
Teacher trainees writing history
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Teaching History 198: Curriculum Journeys
The HA's journal for secondary history teachers
03 Editorial (Read article)
04 HA Secondary News
06 HA Update
08 Unpacking the enquiry puzzle – Ben Arscott (Read article)
16 ‘What’s the point of learning history?’ Establishing a dialogue with Year 9 about why environmental history matters – Alex Benger (Read article)
26 Cunning Plan… for using the story of Eunice Foote...
Teaching History 198: Curriculum Journeys
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Planning a post-1066 thematic study
HA Primary Subject Leader Area
The requirement in National Curriculum rubric at Key Stage 2 for a study or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 can appear intimidatingly broad at first sight, but Andrew Wrenn is here to help! Drawing on non-statutory examples provided in the National Curriculum – such as...
Planning a post-1066 thematic study
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Windrush 75
6th June 2023
The ship the HMT Empire Windrush arrived into the UK on 22 June 1948. It carried 592 passengers from the Caribbean who were answering the UK Government’s call to fill jobs in Britain’s post-war economy. Between 1948–1971 many more Empire and Commonwealth citizens from the Caribbean islands would arrive in...
Windrush 75
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Teaching History 102: Inspiration and Motivation
The HA's journal for secondary history teachers
Learning to love history: preparation of non-specialist primary school teachers to teach history, Finding voices in the past: exploring identity through the biography of a house, Getting pupils to track their own thinking and much more...
Why Gerry now likes evidential work - Phil Smith (Read article)
Teaching pupils how...
Teaching History 102: Inspiration and Motivation
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Primary History 64: History 3-11: past, present and future
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
History & Identity
05 Teaching history as a national grand narrative - Hilary Cooper and Jon Nichol (Read article)
06 The place of history in the curriculum: a discussion document (1997) - John Fines
08 History and identity - Sir Keith Ajegbo (Read article)
09 Urban spaces near you - Jacqui...
Primary History 64: History 3-11: past, present and future
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Towards inclusion: A study of significant figures and disability within the national curriculum
Primary History article
Since the early days of the National Curriculum, considerable progress has been made to introduce children to an inclusive view of history. The research of the late Hilary Claire (1996) served as a major impetus and now primary teachers strive to ensure that no groups or individuals are marginalised, particularly...
Towards inclusion: A study of significant figures and disability within the national curriculum
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Inspiring History Teaching Awards
Historic Royal Palaces launches brand-new Inspiring History Teaching Awards in association with the Historical Association
Entries to this year's awards have now closed. National and regional winners will be announced on Wednesday 25 March 2026. The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday 20 June 2026 at the Tower of London, where the overall winner will be announced.
Historic Royal Palaces’ launched the inaugural Inspiring History...
Inspiring History Teaching Awards
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Cleopatra Podcast
Branch Lecture Podcast
This pod-cast was recorded at the Central London Branch of the Historical Association on Saturday 20th February 2010, at the Institute of Historical Research, Senate House, University of London. We were pleased to welcome cultural historian Lucy Hughes-Hallet to the branch to speak on ‘Cleopatra'. Lucy Hughes-Hallet detailed how fact and legend about Cleopatra had been intertwined through history in...
Cleopatra Podcast
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Choosing a topic
Primary History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content may be outdated.
Choosing a topic, creating teaching approaches and choosing resources for historical understanding
The Rose Report places history in the sphere of ‘Historical, Geographical and Social Understanding'. This allows for a more flexible approach to study, especially...
Choosing a topic
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Using the back cover image: Communications
Primary History feature
Exploring the everyday objects that shaped our lives in the not too distant past can prove to be exciting historical challenges for primary age children. While we might remember or be familiar with the objects and their use, they can provide confusion for children. This is in part because of...
Using the back cover image: Communications
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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
