Primary History Survey Report 2019

The HA's bi-annual survey of history in primary schools

Published: 2nd April 2020

In 2019 we carried out our bi-annual survey of history primary teaching. The HA carries out the survey not to create a headline but to ensure that there is a regular body of research gathered concerning history teaching in schools at the primary level. As a result of the research we are then able to prepare policy and lobbying points for future activities for our members and our charity.

Each time we carry out the survey we are adding to our research data and trying to understand and analyse some of the effects and changes that new structures, testing and wider educational policies have on schools, teachers and pupils.

The aim of both the 2017 and 2019 surveys was to find out how the 2014 curriculum has embedded in primary schools, what impact it has made and what issues still remain. The 2019 survey was carried out before the new Ofsted inspection framework became statutory. The decision not to wait until after the new inspection framework was made to ensure that the HA could build a better-informed picture of its impact in primary schools. 

However, responses to the 2019 survey already represent shifts which may be a result of the draft framework and the HA will continue to monitor these changes in subsequent surveys.

The findings of the 2019 survey are important for us to understand the state of teaching in our schools so that we can respond accordingly, and this survey along with other events has helped to create the CPD and resource development that the HA is currently undertaking.

We would like to say thank you to all those who took part for their time and their input into the future planning of the HA.

Attached files: