The series consists of 5 webinar recordings, each lasting approximately 1 hour. The webinar series was originally recorded in spring 2025. 

Session 1: Making history accessible: context and considerations (FREE for HA members)
Catherine Priggs 

This webinar will provide an overview of recent key developments in SEND, including statutory guidance and regulations from Ofsted’s latest Education Inspection Framework and the SEND improvement plan. Drawing on SEND toolkits, we will reflect on how to embed inclusive practice. This will be explored in the context of the history classroom as we draw upon the Historical Association’s Secondary Committee Making History Accessible resources to consider how to develop and support SEND students’ historical learning. At the end of this session, participants will be introduced to an optional small-scale action research project to prompt reflection on a specific aspect of participants’ practice.. 

Session 2: Mastering the memory challenge: running successful interventions with students who are struggling to remember at GCSE
Dale Banham 

This webinar will explore a range of proven strategies for helping students remember more at GCSE. This includes:   

• • How to avoid cognitive overload by maintaining an explicit focus on key takeaways   

• • How to use recent research from cognitive science and the 2024 International Revision Census to make those key takeaways stick   

• • How to apply the theory of ‘desirable difficulties’ to structuring schemes of work that regularly revisit previous learning   

• • How to help students visualise what is expected of them in the exam so that they remember exam technique tips 
  

Session 3: Teaching neurodivergent students to succeed at GCSE History and beyond
Gemma Hargraves and Kate Wright, SENDCo 

This session will offer practical strategies teachers can use to support and challenge neurodivergent students at GCSE. Covering the importance of scaffolding and Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development, Kate Wright will offer a SENDCo’s perspective on how best to support GCSE historians. From Frayer models and graphic organisers to explicitly teaching key concepts and vocabulary, the session will outline how to achieve clarity in lessons, resources and homework. 

Session 4: Showcasing history teaching and learning in special schools
Gemma Hargraves and Sally Lonsdale, Special School history curriculum lead  

From a special school perspective, Sally Lonsdale will explore how history is encountered at her school. With secondary students working at Key Stage 1 age related expectations, history is seen as an ‘enriching subject’ with a strong focus on literacy and vocabulary.  The session will explore how students with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities and those with EHCP outcomes are supported and show how history teaching can be effective and joyful when directed by student experience and interests and focusing on skills rather than specific knowledge.  

Session 5: Making history accessible: review and reflection
Catherine Priggs 

In this session, participants will be encouraged to review their action research projects. Coaching conversations will encourage reflection, allowing participants to share their actions and insights. Additionally, they will begin developing a strategic plan to outline next steps for supporting students with SEND in accessing the history curriculum. 

The course is for anyone who teaches, including history subject leaders, seconds in department/TLR postholders and aspiring subject leaders. The series includes a specific focus on Key Stage 4, but content is also relevant to teachers of Key Stages 3 and 5. 

This webinar series will enable you to: 

• Consider how all students in your classroom can be supported to access high quality history teaching 

• Develop awareness of specific aspects of historical learning which may pose problems for students, and consider practical strategies to tackle these areas 

• Reflect on your own practice and address deficits 

Catherine Priggs is a freelance education consultant. She is a member of the Historical Association’s Secondary Committee and a specialist assessor for two exam boards.

Dale Banham is a history teacher in a large comprehensive in Ipswich. He is an author of GCSE textbooks and is an honorary fellow of both the Historical Association and the Schools History Project. 

Gemma Hargraves is a Deputy Headteacher (Pastoral) overseeing SEND and teaching history. She is a member of the Historical Association’s Secondary Committee and has previously been an A-level examiner and team leader.

For Session 3, we are joined by Kate Wright, a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo). For Session 4, we are joined by Sally Lonsdale, a Special School history curriculum lead. 

You can purchase and access each set of webinars using the links provided. Once you have purchased each webinar, the recording will be available to view at the bottom of the relevant resource page until the stated expiry date. 

Expiry date: 6 September 2027  

Payment is available by card only. We are unable to arrange block purchases or issue invoices, but VAT receipts are available upon request.   

Please note that to register and access the content you will either need to have an active HA membership or a free basic account. You will need to be logged in to your account before you access this course. If you would like to become a member please click here. If you would like to register for a free basic account please click here.