History in Schools and Higher Education: Issues of Common Concern (second conference)
The recent History in British Education conference on 14–15 February 2005 was remarkably successful in bringing together many people with an interest in history. The cross-sector dialogue was immensely stimulating and led all involved to the conclusion that further dialogue on a host of issues was necessary.
On 29 September 2005, the Institute of Historical Research, the Historical Association, the Royal Historical Society and History HE (UK) held a second conference prompted by the imminence of forthcoming changes in 14–19 education and by concerns that links between schools and higher education are no longer as strong as they once were and that the two sectors have ceased to communicate effectively on the issue of the place of history in British education.
Among key issues addressed were:
- The role of A level and Scottish Highers in preparing students for Higher Education.
- History in schools as a preparation for history in Higher Education.
- Student progression into Higher Education.
- The role of the history degree in the preparation of school teachers.
- The strengthening of links between teachers of history in schools and Higher Education.
- The practical measures which need to be taken to strengthen these links.
Please note that not all participants have been able to submit their papers from publication.
Session one
Transition and progression
- History from Key Stage 4 to A/AS levels and Higher Education
Angela Ruggles (Department for Education and Skills) - The perspective from the Specialist Schools Trust
Jacqueline Anthony (The Specialist Schools Trust) - Worlds in collision: tutor and student perspectives
on the transition to university history
Alan Booth (Subject Centre for History, Classics and Archaeology) - Historical Association 14–19 Curriculum Project
– implications for the future
Sean Lang (Historical Association 14–19 Curriculum Project) - The Prince of Wales's Education Summer Schools 2002–5: a progress
report
Martin Roberts (Prince of Wales's Education Summer Schools) - The perspective of the Subject Centre for History, Classics and Archaeology
Colin Brooks, Anthony Sinclair and Christopher Rowe (Subject Centre for History, Classics and Archaeology) - The DfES History Group and its implications: making the connections
Gordon Marsden MP
Session two
The current framework and the potential for change
- The 11–19 curriculum and qualifications:
where next for history?
Jerome Freeman and Tina Isaacs (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) - The Scottish perspective
Ian Matheson (Scottish Qualifications Authority) - External pressures on awarding bodies
Duncan Fraser (Edexcel) - Changes in A level history and re-establishing
greater support for history in schools by university history departments
Martin Jones (UCLES) - The perspective from Northern Ireland
Sean Connolly (Queen's University, Belfast)
Session three
Perceptions from the classroom and lecture theatre
University History Departments
- Widening participation: targeting the very
young
Sarah Lambert and Annette Hayton (Goldsmiths, London) - History Off the Shelf project
Catherine Holmes, Bernard Gowers and Rachel McDonald - The University of Cambridge's liaison work
Carl Watkins (Cambridge) - Disseminating research: enhancing students'
learning experience through the use of multi-level resources
Martin Evans and Emmanuel Godin (Portsmouth)
University education departments/PGCE providers
- Residual knowledge
Michael Riley (Bath Spa)
Teachers
- Access in learning history at Key Stage 5
Judith Blunden (Albany School, Enfield) - Progressing in history or passing exams: what are we teaching at A Level?
Katie Hall (Harrogate Grammar School) - James McNamara
(The Ecclesbourne School, Derbyshire)
Students in schools and higher education
- Cemil Alkis
(Roehampton University) - Emma Saxton
(The Abbey School, Reading) - Tabitha Benjamin
(University College London)