The final version of the National Curriculum for History was published over the summer. It is pleasing to see that the improvements recommended by the Historical Association and other History societies have been included. There is now provision for longer chronological study at both Key Stage 2 and 3, as well as some crossover allowed in the periods studied at primary and secondary schools.

This means that the previous rigid demand, that pupils should study up to 1700 by the time they leave primary school and from 1700 only at secondary school, has rightly been abandoned. There is also more space for local and World History, all of which will help to develop children's historical understanding, particularly for those who drop History at age 14...