This History teacher video focuses on the disciplinary skill of historical interpretation, as outlined in the National Curriculum. It highlights the idea that there can be multiple valid interpretations of the same event, shaped by the author’s perspective, bias, purpose, and the nature of the source. Pupils learn that primary sources are subjective and must be analysed carefully to understand what they reveal—and what they might leave out. The role of the historian is to weigh evidence and construct interpretations supported by reasoning.
The video explains how Kapow Primary’s scheme builds this skill progressively, helping children to both form their own interpretations and understand those of others. For example, in Year 3, pupils analyse a log boat and are encouraged to justify their ideas using evidence. In later years, they compare contrasting interpretations of events, such as the Roman invasion of Britain, exploring how different sources and new evidence shape historical understanding. The video emphasises that interpretations are not fixed and can change over time.
This History teacher video introduces the use of hot seating as a powerful strategy to develop inquiry skills through questioning. In this drama-based technique, a teacher or pupil adopts the role of a historical figure while others pose questions to explore their experiences, beliefs, and significance. The video explains how this technique supports children’s understanding of different perspectives and encourages the use of open-ended questions to elicit detailed responses. It also demonstrates how hot seating can be integrated into a range of topics, such as exploring the lives of Tudor child apprentices.
Teachers are supported with practical guidance for modelling and scaffolding question writing, including using question starters like “how,” “why,” and “describe.” Children are encouraged to think critically about the kind of information they want to discover and how to structure questions to gain deeper insights. Hot seating develops pupils’ empathy, their ability to interpret historical sources, and their understanding of the significance of historical individuals. By practising this technique in a safe and structured way, children build confidence in speaking, listening, and historical thinking.
This History teacher video explores how the census can be used as a powerful and accessible primary source in the classroom. It highlights how census data provides insight into real lives from the past, supporting pupils in developing key disciplinary skills such as enquiry, continuity and change, and similarity and difference. The video shows how children can use the census to investigate their local community, ask historical questions, and draw inferences, just as historians do.
This History teacher video introduces strategies for using the census as a valuable historical source to support enquiry-based learning. It explains how census data can help children explore local histories by investigating occupations, family structures, and social change. Teachers are shown how to support pupils in reading and interpreting census entries, even when handwriting or terminology is challenging. The video also encourages comparing census information with other historical sources such as maps, school logbooks, and personal diaries to reconstruct the lives of individuals and communities.
The video highlights the importance of evaluating the reliability of the census and considering its limitations. It explores how data may be inaccurate due to human error, deliberate misinformation, or gaps in record-keeping. Teachers are encouraged to guide children in discussing the usefulness of the census and designing their own data-gathering activities to mirror historical enquiries. Lesson six invites pupils to conduct local investigations using real census data, providing an exciting opportunity to bring history to life.
This History teacher video explores the concept of cause and consequence as outlined in the National Curriculum. It explains how historical events are triggered by a combination of short- and long-term causes and how those events, in turn, lead to consequences that can shape people, communities, and beliefs. The video emphasises the importance of understanding that just because one event precedes another doesn’t mean it caused it. Pupils must first gain secure knowledge of an event before analysing its causes and consequences, making this concept particularly effective when exploring wars, invasions, or rebellions.
This History teacher video explores how children develop the skills to work with historical sources and evidence. It explains how pupils across Key Stages 1 and 2 learn to identify, examine, and interpret a wide range of sources—including written, visual, and material items—to build their understanding of the past. The video distinguishes between primary and secondary sources, highlighting how each can provide valuable insights when carefully analysed. It also explains how even biased sources are useful, as they offer a perspective from the time.
The video supports teachers in helping pupils use sources for historical inquiry—extracting evidence, making interpretations, and forming their own versions of past events. It also shows how different interpretations of the same source are to be expected and encouraged, using practical examples like portraits of Henry VIII. The Kapow Primary scheme builds these inquiry skills gradually, supporting children to develop more complex historical thinking as they progress.
This video introduces teachers and subject leaders to Kapow Primary’s RSE & PSHE scheme. It explains the structure and flexibility of the curriculum, including long-term plans for standard, condensed, and mixed-age settings. The video covers how progression is built across strands, how the scheme aligns with statutory guidance, and how to support planning, assessment, and confidence in delivery. Teachers are shown how to tailor the scheme to their school’s needs, ensuring comprehensive and age-appropriate learning from Year 1 to Year 6.
This video features Clive Davies discussing what to expect during an Ofsted inspection ‘learning walk’ focused on teaching and learning. Recorded on 29th June 2022, it offers practical insights into how schools can prepare for and approach these walkthroughs with confidence and clarity.
Find the accompanying slides here.
This informative session with Cat Lamin offers practical strategies and guidance for educators on supporting pupils’ online safety. It explores key considerations in helping children navigate digital spaces responsibly and confidently, equipping teachers with tools to foster a safer online experience in school and at home.
Find the accompanying slides here.
