Key Stage 3 history goes beyond merely gaining knowledge about the past and reeling off dates: it's how we use our understanding of history to participate in society. As Cat Priggs and David Hibbert put it, ‘knowing stuff is not enough—knowing how to use that stuff is what makes it powerful’.
‘History is a powerful disruptor and it helps students engage with collective memory and myth. Exploring the dissonance between the historical record and what is commonly believed is powerful. Approaching the past with respect is key; understanding that truth and knowledge are not the same.
‘Imagine footprints in the snow. They are mere traces-you can never have full truth or understanding. There's an appreciation of the uncertainty, but also the issues surrounding historical interpretations. From something seemingly uncontested, fertile ground for learning emerges.’
‘Good history departments will make routine use of historical scholarship, both to inform teachers’ thinking, planning, and practice, and to enhance pupils’ study of the past.
‘The presence of historical scholarship from Year 7 allows pupils to interact with current debates in history and will mean they can approach their study of the past meaningfully and with nuance.
‘It is also important that we provide pupils with a broad historical perspective, if we want them to develop as historians. In practice, this allows pupils to view the world with an informed understanding of the past and to make sense of their place in the world.
‘Strong history departments will have thought about how pupils will develop a historical perspective from Year 7. They will have also considered the historical narrative communicated by their department’s curriculum, to achieve coherence through all key stages.
‘From the outset, we need to put curriculum design & collaborative planning at the forefront. Our relationship with knowledge is ongoing - a powerful and happy fact of ongoing subject development. It’s important to be conspicuously fascinated and joyful in what we're teaching, because then we’ll be engaging pupils in our subject!’
Three documents to support line managers for history
1. Ofsted’s Research Review Series: History
2. What’s the wisdom on... enquiry questions, Teaching History 178
3. No more ‘doing’ diversity – C.Priggs, Teaching History 179
If you’d like to know more, you can watch the full conversation with Cat and David on Myatt & Co (£/free trial)
Until next time
Mary
And when you’re ready, you might find these helpful for curriculum and leadership development in your school
NEW: Secondary subject networks including for history are now scheduled!
The spring Primary Subject Networks are also available to book, live and recorded (£/free trial)
Huh Leadership Lobby: a blended, self-paced course with live check-ins, led by me and Andrew Morrish. It is designed for aspiring, new and established leaders, it starts April 2023 and places are limited
Huh Curriculum Leaders Course: UPDATE: The June course is now open, and the last two were oversubscribed