Ofsted Report 2011 and HA response

Response statement for the Ofsted History for all Report - March 2011

The Historical Association welcomes and supports the findings of the Ofsted Report on the teaching of History in schools

The Ofsted report supports the outcomes of the survey the Historical Association undertakes each year amongst teachers.

We would agree with Ofsted that at Secondary level History is enjoyed and well taught - but that it is squeezed as a subject by other school initiatives. The Ofsted report highlights that a major part of that success is down to enthusiastic and well qualified teachers, whilst the HA has noted that over the last few years the number of History teachers are being reduced and replaced with generic humanities teachers.

Ofsted supports the HA in its finding that the picture of History after Key Stage 3 is patchy with Independent schools still encouraging more pupils to study to exam stage - 50%, whereas academies and maintained schools view History as too difficult and only encourage 20 - 30% to take History GCSE. This raises the concern that History as a qualification is being put out of reach for many students.

Of great importance for the HA was the findings on History at primary level. The HA has finished its annual survey of primary teachers concerning History and will be releasing the report on those findings this week. However, it is safe to say that many similar issues have been reported. The key concern being the lack of training that most primary school teachers have in Historical knowledge and understanding is addressed in both reports. Young people are let down in their own understanding and ability to see History as a chronology rather than as episodes by the persistent failure of schools and others to provide teachers with an opportunity to attend and have access to training and development. After all most primary teachers do not have a degree in history.

"Over all we at the Historical Association know that History is popular amongst young people, we know that History teachers know their subject and try and deliver it well, harnessing good results from pupils - we also know that more time, better recognition and a change of attitude at senior management level in schools would allow teachers and pupils to deliver more and achieve even better results." Rebecca Sullivan CEO Historical Association