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Three strategies to support pupils’ study of historical significance
Teaching History article
When Paula Worth met with history-teaching colleagues to explore how they could improve their teaching about historical significance, she found that she was far from alone in finding the process a daunting one. Prompted to investigate the difficulties she had encountered, Worth realised that that she had previously reached for...
Three strategies to support pupils’ study of historical significance
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The history teacher's craft: Doing local History through the eyes of W. G. Hoskins
Article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content may be outdated.
Editorial comment: When teaching local history we all have an idea of what it is: both as a body of knowledge - information, dates, facts and substantive concepts - and as what that knowledge is based...
The history teacher's craft: Doing local History through the eyes of W. G. Hoskins
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What's happening in History? Trends in GCSE and 'A'-level examinations
Teaching History article
Teaching History frequently celebrates and analyses the practice of those history departments that appear to buck trends. In keeping with the Historical Association’s Campaign for History and its popular ‘Choosing History at 14’ Pack, a number of articles and Triumphs Shows in recent editions of Teaching History have celebrated the...
What's happening in History? Trends in GCSE and 'A'-level examinations
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Webinar series: Embedding historical knowledge through story
HA webinar series for primary teachers, history subject leaders and senior leaders
What does this series cover?
Stories can sometimes be seen as a frivolous indulgence in an already crowded lesson. But the evidence is clear: the power of a well-told story in a history lesson for world building and knowledge acquisition should not be underestimated. When a story is expertly delivered,...
Webinar series: Embedding historical knowledge through story
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Curriculum planning: How to write a new scheme of work for history
Primary History article
Please note: this article was originally written in early 2014 for schools needing to prepare schemes of work for the new National Curriculum coming into effect that September.
The implementation from September 2014 of the new national curriculum programme of study for history gives you a time-scale for reviewing, refreshing and resourcing your new scheme...
Curriculum planning: How to write a new scheme of work for history
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Saint Robert and the Deer
Article
It is almost a commonplace that there is an affinity between a holy man and the creatures of the wild. The archetype is St. Francis of Assisi but the phenomenon was well marked both before and after his time. I would like to consider briefly an episode in the life...
Saint Robert and the Deer
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HA Secondary History Survey 2024
Survey Report on History in Secondary Schools
For the last 15 years the Historical Association has carried out an annual or biennial survey of history teaching in Secondary Schools. The survey data now provides us with an up-to-date insight into the successes, pressures and concerns in schools affecting history and how those factors have developed, changed or...
HA Secondary History Survey 2024
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Film: Queer British History – 1714 to 1785
Film Series: Power and freedom in Britain and Ireland: 1714-2010
In episode 10, Dr Declan Kavanagh (University of Kent), reflects on Queer British history 1714-1785. Dr Kavanagh looks at the history of the language of LGBTQ+, in particular the term ‘queer’ in its very recent usage and how the language of descriptors for these communities has been influenced. Dr Kavanagh draws...
Film: Queer British History – 1714 to 1785
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On-demand webinar series: Making GCSE history accessible: supporting all learners at Key Stage 4
HA webinar series for history teachers, leaders and SENDCos
What does this series cover and why should I attend?
In recent years, the UK’s SEND system has been under the spotlight. As numbers of students with identified special educational needs increase, attention has been given to how to best embed inclusive practice, enabling teachers to support all students to...
On-demand webinar series: Making GCSE history accessible: supporting all learners at Key Stage 4
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Pivotal elections in history
28th June 2024
2024 is and continues to be a year of national and regional elections around the world. Some have passed under the international radar; others have sprung out leading to huge ramifications. In the UK the polls are predicting changes, France has already had its shake up, and India, the EU...
Pivotal elections in history
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Modern History
Article
Modern History
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Medieval History
Article
Medieval History
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Ancient History
Article
Ancient History
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Delivering school-based CPD as a history subject leader
HA Primary Subject Leader Area
This guide provides primary history subject leaders with clear, practical support for planning and delivering effective school‑based CPD, offering strategies for securing time, engaging all staff, and building consistency across the curriculum. It includes ideas for training activities, guidance on strengthening progression and assessment, and advice for leading confident, purposeful...
Delivering school-based CPD as a history subject leader
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What is a Synoptic Essay and How Do I Write One?
Student Guides
This resource is free to everyone. For access to a wealth of other online resources from podcasts to articles and publications, plus support and advice though our “How To”, examination and transition to university guides and careers resources, join the Historical Association today
Part of the A-Level History course now...
What is a Synoptic Essay and How Do I Write One?
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Recorded Webinar: Writing historical fiction - Research and planning
Article
In this first webinar about writing historical fiction, author Tony Bradman will talk about how ideas grow from reading and thinking about history. Once you have a good idea, then you need to research it properly, starting with secondary sources for context, then moving on to more specific reading. Visits...
Recorded Webinar: Writing historical fiction - Research and planning
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In pursuit of shared histories: uncovering Islamic history in the secondary classroom
Teaching History article
In 2005, in a Teaching History article entitled, ‘A need to know’, Nicolas Kinloch built an argument for teaching the history of Islamic civilisations to all pupils. Afia Chaudhry returns to this theme, reflecting deeply on the needs of her own students – Muslim and non-Muslim alike – within a...
In pursuit of shared histories: uncovering Islamic history in the secondary classroom
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Knowing what counts in history: historical understanding and the non-specialist teacher
Teaching History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content may be outdated.
If science graduates think that history teaching is not about questioning, that there is only ‘one answer' in history or that historical facts are unproblematic, does it matter? Should we care? Doug Newton and Lynn...
Knowing what counts in history: historical understanding and the non-specialist teacher
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Primary History 49: Visual Literacy
The primary education journal of the Historical Association
04 Editorial
07 In my view: History and illustration – Quentin Blake (Read article)
08 In my view: Using pictures – John Fines (Read article)
10 History Coordinators’ Dilemmas: Pedagogy and the Visual Image – Tim Lomas
12 Think Bubble: Frozen moments – Peter Vass (Read article)
13 Using feature...
Primary History 49: Visual Literacy
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Teaching History 173: Opening Doors
The HA's journal for secondary history teachers
02 Editorial (Read article)
03 HA Secondary News
04 HA Update
08 Identity in history: why it matters and must be addressed! – Sophia Nzeribe Nascimento (Read article)
20 Triumphs Show: teaching Black Tudors as a window into Tudor England – Chris Lewis (Read article)
23 Cunning Plan... to use Black Tudors as a...
Teaching History 173: Opening Doors
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Teaching History 180: Out now
The HA's journal for secondary history teachers
Read Teaching History 180
The start of a new academic year, with all its comfortingly familiar rituals and routines, also brings with it a set of familiar feelings: the adrenaline rush that comes with last-minute preparations, the thrill (and nerves) of meeting new classes, the sheer pleasure of being back...
Teaching History 180: Out now
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Working with Historical Picture Books
Primary History article
For the majority of children a picture book is the first book that they enjoy and share with an adult. Picture books introduce children to different genres of writing, different themes and different artistic styles. As young children 'read' and explore picture books they take meaning from the text and...
Working with Historical Picture Books
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Embedding climate change and sustainability education into primary history
HA Primary Subject Leader Area
This resource has been made temporarily open access for Earth Day 2026.
How can we make climate change and sustainability a natural part of primary history rather than an add-on? This new subject leader guide offers manageable, age appropriate strategies with a clear rationale, practical examples and planning support to...
Embedding climate change and sustainability education into primary history
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Magna Carta and the Origins of Parliament
Historian article
In February this year the four surviving originals of Magna Carta were briefly brought together in the Houses of Parliament. John Maddicott, examining the Charter's role in the early development of Parliament, shows that the setting was well chosen.
What did Magna Carta contribute to the origins of parliament? If...
Magna Carta and the Origins of Parliament
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The Holy Grail? GCSE History that actually enhances historical understanding!
Teaching History article
Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content may be outdated.
Teaching History 109, Examining History Edition, launched a range of debates about the role and value of our public examinations in history, debates which have continued in these pages and in history teacher conferences (such...
The Holy Grail? GCSE History that actually enhances historical understanding!
