Please note: this article pre-dates the 2014 National Curriculum and some content may be outdated.

Much of the recent guidance related to assessment, monitoring and recording in primary history has focused more on what does NOT have to be done rather than on practical advice on what might be done. Given the general sentiment of the current coalition government it is unlikely that there will be imposition of bureaucratic requirements regarding the assessment and recording of curriculum areas such as history.

Unless also repealed, the requirement to report annually to parents may well remain as one of the very few statutory requirements. There will be many who rejoice in this apparent freedom to concentrate on teaching and learning, but it does raise the question as to how primary teachers will get a handle on the progress made by pupils in their historical understanding and ability.