Case studies

Following the introduction of the new Migration topic to our existing GCSE (9-1) History specification from September 2020 we
have been talking to teachers, parents and students to find out what they are doing to encourage greater diversity and inclusion at their schools.

Share your story!

We’d love to hear your stories of diversity and inclusion. If you would like to share your story please email us at diversityinhistory@pearson.com or share via your social channels tagging @pearsonschools and using #diversityinhistory.

Diversity and Inclusion in History case studies

Case Study: Weaving Jewish History into the KS3 Curriculum: Why it shouldn't start and finish with the Holocaust

In this case study Head of History, Tessa McLaughlin (she/her), shares how her school is ensuring a more diverse History curriculum at KS3. Part of this work has been the incorporation of more Jewish history across their entire KS3 curriculum to fully encompass the long and rich history of the British, European and global Jewish community. Tessa offers practical advice for other schools diversifying their KS3 curriculum.

Read the case study (PDF | 1.2MB)

Case Study Weaving Jewish History into the KS3 Curriculum

Case Study: Incorporating disability into the history curriculum

Kate Wilson, Senior Director of Humanities at Outwood Grange Academies along with two of her colleagues spoke to us about their drive and passion for incorporating more disability history into their lessons to ensure that all people in society have a voice within the curriculum.

Read the case study (PDF | 108KB)

Case Study Incorporating disability into the history curriculum

Case Study: Kathleen O'Hanlon, Head of History

In this case study Kathleen O'Hanlon shares the steps she and her school are taking to champion greater diversity in history and throughout the wider school curriculum.

Read the case study (PDF | 320KB)

Case Study: Amy Bennett, Director of Learning for Humanities and Civilisations at Harris Academy Sutton

This is the second part in a series with Amy Bennett, Director of Learning for Humanities and Civilisations at Harris Academy Sutton.

Their history students are taking Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History and one of their chosen topics is new Migrants in Britain, c800-present and Notting Hill, c1948-c1970 (Historic Environment) from September 2021.

Find out more about how Amy has been planning to teach the new topic and which resources she has been using to get up to speed with the subject.

Migrants in Britain, c800-present and Notting Hill, c1948-c1970

Read the case study (PDF | 612KB)

Case Study: Samantha Slater, Subject Leader of History at Chatham Grammar School

Subject Leader of History, Samantha Slater discusses her school's journey in creating a more diverse three-year KS3 history curriculum and the positive impact this has had on teachers and students.

Read the case study (PDF | 298KB)

Watch the video

Watch the video - An interview with Samantha Slater, Subject Leader of History:

Case Study: Bex Bothwell-O'Hearn (she/her), History and Politics teacher at a secondary school in Suffolk

History and Politics teacher Bex Bothwell-O'Hearn (she/her), shares her views on LGBT+ inclusion in history and what she's doing to celebrate more diversity across her school.

Read the case study (PDF | 0.4 MB)

Case Study: Amy Bennett, Subject Lead for History at Harris Academy Sutton

This is the first part in a series with Amy Bennett, Subject Lead for History at Harris Academy Sutton. Harris Academy Sutton is a new academy established in 2018. Their first GCSE cohort start in September 2020 and they have chosen to do the new Migration topic as part of Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History. We look forward to sharing Amy's progress planning, teaching and assessing this topic as well as finding out how her students at Harris Academy enjoy learning about this topic.

Read the case study (PDF | 1.4 MB)

Case Study: Diego Bartolomeu, Key Stage 3 student and Pearson World Changer Awards runner-up

Diego Bartolomeu is a Key Stage 3 student who impressed the judges of the Pearson World Changer Awards with his determination to affect change at his school.

The Pearson World Changer Awards 2020 winners and runners-up

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Diego suggested that his schools' History curriculum be re-written to include more black, Asian and minority ethnicity history.

Diego also wrote to his local MP, Kate Green, calling for change and is working closely with his school to implement his ideas, so all students can feel more included in what they study.

There needs to be an inclusive curriculum, so I am working with my school and a group of students to explore the topics that we learn about from The Black Civil Rights Movement to Africa before colonisation. I hope topics like this will give young people a chance to learn about black history, but also to educate them about the issue of unconscious bias, and help eradicate racism, not just in the UK, but in the world!

Read the case study (PDF | 0.37 MB)

Watch the video - An interview with KS3 student Diego Bartolomeu and his mother Dee Bartolomeu:

Case Study: Jane Wicks, History teacher and subject advisor - championing the role of women through the ages

In this case study Jane Wicks, History teacher and subject advisor, shares her views on diversity and inclusion in History and gives an insight into how her school is championing women through the ages.

Read the case study (PDF | 0.3 MB)

Case Study: Joshua Garry, Deputy Head of History

Joshua Garry is a Deputy Head of History in London. In this case study Joshua shares how he incorporates diversity and inclusion into his history teaching. He also talks about his his personal experience of history education and his passion for diversity and inclusion as an essential part of history education.

When it comes to history, I believe that every learner should be able to see where they fit in, connect with the past, understand their contribution and make sense of the world they’re in.