In this episode, Pete Jackson and Ben Bassett invite us into their shared journey of reimagining how history is taught in classrooms.

Drawing on Pete’s 20+ years of experience teaching in North Yorkshire and Ben’s role as Deputy Head of History in West London, they unpack how storytelling has become a powerful tool for connection, curiosity, and deeper understanding.

From Thomas Platter’s visit to the Globe Theatre to the gripping story of Sophie Scholl, they show how using rich, researched narratives helps students engage more deeply and remember more.

🛠️ Want to teach complex topics with clarity and flexibility?
Explore our Pathway Guides—visual frameworks, adaptable time plans, and ready-to-use activities that save you planning time and increase engagement.

🎧 Catch up on past episodes for more fresh perspectives and practical strategies from classroom educators. 🎙️Listen on Spotify

📚 For full access to tools, ideas and support: Visit reteach.org.uk

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In this packed episode, Carmel explores why local history makes a great lesson starting point with educator and author Luke Mayhew, and then chats about practical examples and Liverpool's history with Subject Development Lead Colin McCormick, Development Lead and History teacher Dan Procter, and History teacher Caitlyn Palmer.

Resources at:

reteach.org.uk/subject/history/the-border-reivers

reteach.org.uk/subject/history/resistance-to-british-slavery-in-jamaica-1690-1833

Lincoln University Associate Professor Dr Sarah Longair and Head of Humanities Sasha Smith join Carmel Bones to map out an infallible approach to teach the British Empire: through the history of its objects.

Resources at:

reteach.org.uk/subject/history/britain-s-complex-relationship-with-india

reteach.org.uk/subject/history/the-british-empire-from-inside-india

reteach.org.uk/subject/history/the-role-of-the-british-empire-in-the-slave-trade
reteach.org.uk/subject/history/working-class-women-and-the-british-empire

Bristol University Senior Lecturer and PGCE Programme Lead Kate Hawkey discusses why the traditional History curriculum should include topics like climate change and offers pointers for enhancing teachers' subject knowledge on the matter, along with case studies to spark students' interest.
Resources at https://reteach.org.uk/subject/geography/how-a-systems-approach-can-help-us-understand-climate-change
https://reteach.org.uk/subject/geography/tackling-climate-change-and-sustainability-in-the-classroom

English Romani author and CEO of the York Travellers Trust Violet Cannon joins HA Secondary Committee chair Helen Snelson and HA Honorary Fellow Richard Kerridge to demistify common prejudice around the GRT communities and share hands-on tips on incorporating this untold perspective into the curriculum.Resources at reteach.org.uk/subject/history/the-romani-holocaust

Head of History Claire Hollis and teacher and mentor Becky Carter make the point of why LGBTQ+ History must be included in the curriculum, and how notions of heteronormative sexuality are already part of traditional lessons. They then offer practical ideas on how to incorporate this topic to deepen students' understanding of specific periods.
Resources at www.reteach.org.uk/subject/history/homosexuality-in-nazi-germany

Curriculum Lead Emmy Quinn explains why Ireland was, in fact, the British Empire's first colony, and how this makes Irish History a fundamental part of the curriculum which has been often overlooked.
Resources at https://reteach.org.uk/subject/history/irish-perspectives-on-the-great-famine-1845-50
https://reteach.org.uk/subject/history/irish-perspectives-on-the-easter-rising

Historians and authors Malcolm Gaskill and Estelle Paranque dive into the fascinating topic of witchcraft from a social and cultural angle, exploring the patriarchal roots of this phenomenon and calling on case studies to investigate how it was used as a weapon both by the accusers and the accused throughout the centuries.Resources at www.reteach.org.uk/subject/history/witchcraft-a-social-and-cultural-case

History teachers and CPD Leaders Rachel Ball and Alex Fairlamb share their experience on grouping some of the most accomplished experts in the field of Secondary History teaching to compile a guide for each other on how to make the curriculum future and present-proof. They discuss the challenges and joys of acquiring deeper subject knowledge, discovering new angles, and never stop learning and sharing. Resources at reteach.org.uk/subject/history

Professor and author Ilan Kelman explains why the events described as 'natural disasters' are often the outcome of inherently unequal and unjust systems which don't allow the individuals who are part of them to access the same survival tools and employ the same recovery strategies. He discusses the importance of considering a variety of factors such as the political, economic and social contingencies when drafting policies around natural hazards, and concludes with an appeal to all human beings to be kinder to one another.
Resources at
https://reteach.org.uk/subject/geography/how-decision-making-affects-vulnerability-to-hazards
https://reteach.org.uk/subject/geography/natural-hazards-impacts-responses-and-human-influence