I have just been lucky enough to have a look at a copy of Diana Laffin’s latest A level History book British Society 1945. Its part of the Enquiring History series for A level.Quickly thumbing through it I am struck by the clever teaching techniques and the interesting content. It[…]
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Please respond to the proposed changes to National Curriculum for History
If like me you are still spitting feathers over the history proposals then we need to make sure that we respond to the consultation in the correct manner. Time is quickly ticking away. I heard a sneaky rumour that those people at the DFE (not politicians, the civil servants) are[…]
Oh dear oh dear oh dear! It really did end in lists!?
Oh dear oh dear oh dear!! The drafts of the new National Curriculum for history were published on Thursday…what can I say that hasn’t already been said? I have been speechless since reading them. If you haven’t had a chance to look, you can the proposals here. Read it and weep![…]
The view of the Secret History Teacher: Red, amber and grrrrrrrrrr.
Here is our new blog feature. Rather than have me or Neil post our thoughts, we have asked a secret history teacher to tell us how it is for them at the chalk-face in 2013. Here is the first post. Enjoy. Red, amber and grrrrrrrrrr. You know the feeling, staring at the[…]
Developing a love of art through history
For many people working in schools these are dark days. Everything is being changed. Many of the changes seem to be made on purely ideological grounds. But spare a thought for our colleagues who teach the artistic areas of the curriculum. Less and less children will have access to these[…]
Want to improve your practice and grades at GCSE history? Course you do
Ever wondered what is going on in the best practitioners classrooms at GCSE? How on earth do they ensure that kids make that beloved progress everyone is obsessed with without compromising on certain principles? What do people who set the exam papers think makes good history teaching? Are you concerned[…]
Old fashioned thinking about assessment
It is official: schools are assessment crazy! I recently spoke two teachers who told me that where they teach they have to get their students to produce a levelled piece of work every two weeks!! How mad / crazy / ill informed / laughable / depressing * is that! Where[…]
How James Bond can help your history teaching
I went to see the latest James Bond film last night…cracking. What great entertainment. I love a good Bond. And, to put my neck on the line, I think that Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever. Why? Well for loads of normal reasons. He is hard, tough, well dressed,[…]
A matter of principle
All is quiet. It’s been nearly a month and the government haven’t announced any drastic changes to the school structure, teaching conditions, curriculum or examination system? However, with the half term then Christmas holidays soon to be upon us, there is still plenty of time for new announcements . To[…]
We praise Cottenham Village College for advocating the use of real historians in lessons
It was great to see Cottenham Village College history department highlighted in the TES on Friday (21st September 2012). This report was based on a good practice visit made by ofsted. To view the report click here.The depts message was simple and one which we totally agree with. Teach history[…]
At last…decent enquiry based A Level books
If there is one thing that we stand for here at historyresourcecupboard, it is teaching history through enquiry. After all, the word enquiry itself actually means history. It comes from those clever Greek chaps back in the day. The problem with most textbooks, particularly at A Level, is that they[…]
#SHP12: Proud to be a history teacher
Have just got back from the brilliant Schools History Project Conference #SHP12. What a way to restore one’s faith in education. I don’t mind admitting that before this weekend I was beginning to get depressed with the endless bad stories in the press about schools and teachers letting kids down. […]
O Levels: ‘Just a distratction from the omnishambles’?
I nearly crashed the car this morning when I heard the news that Mr Gove has plans to re-introduce o level style exams. After I had re gained control of the wheel I checked the date. To my surprise it wasn’t April 1st. Let’s be clear. GCSE history is not[…]
Better the devil you don’t know?
When it comes to levels and history I have always had, what some might describe as a clear point of view. Put simply, the levels for history are an absolute nonesense and are not worth the paper they are written on. Marking one piece of work against a level is an[…]
Cracking free History Teachers INSET in July
Why not come along to a free history CPD day on 11th July?Bring your whole department. Free CPD for History Teachers and History Leaders led by Richard McFahn at Worthing library 9.30 – 3.30, 11th July 2012 RAISING ATTAINMENT AT GCSE TEACHING FOCUS ‘I am bored of teaching the same[…]
Am I out of fashion?
Maybe I am out of fashion? There has been a trend in schools over the last few years to provide most CPD for teachers ‘in house’ – in school. Most schools have a ‘Teaching and Learning Group’, or are organised into ‘Learning Communities’, where teachers across the subject range share lesson[…]
Bloody Marvellous: Brilliant new World War Two Website
Wow! I have just returned from the launch of a fantastic website which will help you update and enliven your lessons on World War Two. Funded by the National Lottery, the brilliant local studies team at Worthing Library led by the visionary Martin Hayes have got together the impossible. A[…]
Why waste your time with lolly sticks?
Over the last few years Assessment for Learning seems to have been Top of the Pops. Most school Development Plans include three magic letters: AfL. These three letters, this magic bullet is going to improve all of our classroom practice and drive up attainment…isn’t it? Well if you are as boring[…]
A mad mad world
I know its the holidays but I’m depressed. Over the last few weeks I have worked with a whole host of history teachers in many settings. Unfortunately the same depressing message seems to be coming through – we are all spending so much time tracking and analysing data, that we[…]
Will it all end in lists?
Don’t know if you heard but at Cambridge academic, Professor David Abulafia yesterday produced a list of key events that all students who study history in the future should know. The list was produced for the Think Tank Politeia. The list below includes lots of what you would expect to teach: The[…]
Great little link to Lord Kitchener
I was just looking at Vintage Festival stuff – it was set up by Wayne Hemingway (him of Red or Dead shoes and lots of other design classics). I noticed this great little link to Lord Kitchener. Clearly it isn’t just us at historyresourcecupboard who think that Kitchener firmly had[…]
Maybe a little too full of Christmas cheer?
A couple of weeks ago I wrote my first blog about the expert panels recommendations for the new National Curriculum. I now think I was little too full of cheer. On reflection and digestion, some of the recommendations see quite bizarre. Great that history should be taught to 16, but[…]
Compulsory history to 16: is the momentum is building?
Happy New Year and welcome to historyresourcecupboard’s new look website and blog. The blog has been added to keep you up to date with all things history teaching. Let’s face it – there is a lot going on at the moment. At the back end of 2011, a little like[…]
