The Bristol Branch of the HA’s A-level Russian History Conference
27 March 2024

 
‘Such a great event – both for students and teachers. Many thanks…for organising it, and for sharing excellent resources’ (Mark Kauntze, Head of History Redland Green School, Bristol)

‘Brilliant, thank you… our students really enjoyed the experience.’ (Phill Jones, Hayesfield School, Bath)

Modern Russian History is one of the two most popular topics at A-level which together are taken by 80% of A-level students. The Bristol Branch of the HA decided to run an extended afternoon conference on Russian History at Bristol University for students in the South West. With the Bristol University’s Education and History departments the branch organized three lectures and a workshop for teachers. The university, particularly the History department, provided state-of-the-art lecture halls and refreshments for the teachers and students. The Education department’s senior lecturer David Rawlings had invaluable links to local heads of History and co-hosted the day. The Bristol Branch had already built up strong ties to local schools via the Great Debate and regularly running events relevant to their teacher members. The National HA spread the word to members across the South West.

Despite the difficulties of getting students out of school at this time of the year, 13 history departments with 26 teachers brought 197 students from across the South West to the event. In addition, the branch put resources by the speakers on their website for teachers, including those unable to attend in person. The lectures by Dr Alistair Dickins, Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Swain and Dr Daria Mattingley covered some of the key topics of twentieth-century Russian/Soviet History including the Revolutions of 1905 and 1917 (presentation attached below), the Civil War and the question ‘Was the USSR always doomed to fail?’ The teachers’ seminar examined Resources and new approaches for teaching A-level Russian History by Dr Alistair Dickins of Cheadle Hulme High School. Teachers really appreciated the event, including free resource packs they could use in lessons. The branch also had the chance to flag up for students and teachers how the HA could support them.

The advantages of a daytime conference like this included supporting teachers, making the HA more visible and encouraging local students to attend an event at a local Russell Group university. Most of all it gave A-level students free access to some lively lectures and resources in the run-up to the most stressful exams they will probably ever take. A good result all round – teachers are already asking us about next year’s conference!