James Fitzgibbon
@mrfitzhist.bsky.social
Subject Leader for History and Politics
The next set of mid-topic ‘Progress Points’. Slight adaptation with the spelling and definitions section. Provision of definitions gives greater clarity and saves time with students having to match up. Followed by multiple choice recall and ‘the story so far’ #historyteacher
November 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The next set of mid-topic ‘Progress Points’. Slight adaptation with the spelling and definitions section. Provision of definitions gives greater clarity and saves time with students having to match up. Followed by multiple choice recall and ‘the story so far’ #historyteacher
First round of ‘Progress Points’ and they’ve been a good addition! They allow for the affirming of knowledge and picking up misconceptions. Tweaks needed on definitions as too much time was spent listening to a range of very similar responses. Overall though ✅ #historyteacher
October 15, 2025 at 5:41 PM
First round of ‘Progress Points’ and they’ve been a good addition! They allow for the affirming of knowledge and picking up misconceptions. Tweaks needed on definitions as too much time was spent listening to a range of very similar responses. Overall though ✅ #historyteacher
First topic homework set for Y7-9 within our new booklets. Students working through short meaningful tasks linked to bettering their understanding of second order concepts and building on knowledge developed in lessons. #historyteacher
October 6, 2025 at 5:49 PM
First topic homework set for Y7-9 within our new booklets. Students working through short meaningful tasks linked to bettering their understanding of second order concepts and building on knowledge developed in lessons. #historyteacher
Emphasising chunking content with Y11. Paper 3 Germany contains a huge amount of complex content. So infographics combined with simple task formats to start a lesson, end one or break down a difficult concept. Hopefully this approach will firm up foundations. #historyteacher
September 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Emphasising chunking content with Y11. Paper 3 Germany contains a huge amount of complex content. So infographics combined with simple task formats to start a lesson, end one or break down a difficult concept. Hopefully this approach will firm up foundations. #historyteacher
A Level numbers have rocketed so to has the mark load. Attempting to battle that with whole class feedback comments that are numbered and attributed as individual feedback. Combined with SPAG, exam board mark scheme, student reflection and consolidation questions. #historyteacher
September 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
A Level numbers have rocketed so to has the mark load. Attempting to battle that with whole class feedback comments that are numbered and attributed as individual feedback. Combined with SPAG, exam board mark scheme, student reflection and consolidation questions. #historyteacher
This format is fast becoming a go to for articles and extract tasks. Finding quotes, quick comprehension responses and deeper explanation questions guarantee thorough reading, triggers for quality discussion and meaningful notes. #historyteacher
September 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This format is fast becoming a go to for articles and extract tasks. Finding quotes, quick comprehension responses and deeper explanation questions guarantee thorough reading, triggers for quality discussion and meaningful notes. #historyteacher
Already we’ve used some of the clip sheets from last year’s bank with Y9 and Y10. Brilliant for focused viewing, triggering debate and reflecting back on as a summary of key knowledge. Also logistically a meaningful cover work task. #historyteacher
September 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Already we’ve used some of the clip sheets from last year’s bank with Y9 and Y10. Brilliant for focused viewing, triggering debate and reflecting back on as a summary of key knowledge. Also logistically a meaningful cover work task. #historyteacher
Worth adding that all staff are provided with a terminology and definition crib sheet. To ensure all are engaging with the same content. Reinforced with KO’s.
September 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Worth adding that all staff are provided with a terminology and definition crib sheet. To ensure all are engaging with the same content. Reinforced with KO’s.
First set of ‘Progress Points’ all set to go for KS3. Mid unit, we’ll review the spelling of key terminology, definitions, core knowledge and linkage of events. From this we can correct misconceptions/effectively reteach before the summative assessment. #historyteacher
September 7, 2025 at 10:04 AM
First set of ‘Progress Points’ all set to go for KS3. Mid unit, we’ll review the spelling of key terminology, definitions, core knowledge and linkage of events. From this we can correct misconceptions/effectively reteach before the summative assessment. #historyteacher
Building on our KS3 homework format we’ve compiled tasks into one booklet. Purpose/logistics are outlined to students and parents. Whilst for teachers, workload is minimised via no requirement to remember to print/set homework tasks/highlighted teacher reviews. #historyteacher
September 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Building on our KS3 homework format we’ve compiled tasks into one booklet. Purpose/logistics are outlined to students and parents. Whilst for teachers, workload is minimised via no requirement to remember to print/set homework tasks/highlighted teacher reviews. #historyteacher
Y9 was in desperate need of remodelled knowledge organisers. Chronology, Key Figures, Terminology and Core Content all in one place for students to refer to during lessons and revision. Looking to ensure they are utilised more throughout curriculum this year. #historyteacher
August 28, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Y9 was in desperate need of remodelled knowledge organisers. Chronology, Key Figures, Terminology and Core Content all in one place for students to refer to during lessons and revision. Looking to ensure they are utilised more throughout curriculum this year. #historyteacher
Revisited our ‘Curriculum in Objects’ initiative. Initial idea of student led inferences remains in place but we’ve switched to connected closed questions to build confidence and frame the concepts and understanding we want to take forward into the topic. #historyteacher
July 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Revisited our ‘Curriculum in Objects’ initiative. Initial idea of student led inferences remains in place but we’ve switched to connected closed questions to build confidence and frame the concepts and understanding we want to take forward into the topic. #historyteacher
A labour of love but our Y7 KO’s are completed. We move onto trying to box off Y8/Y9. Chronology, Key Figure, Terminology and Core Content all in one place for students to reflect on and refer to during lessons and in preparation for assessments. #historyteacher
July 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A labour of love but our Y7 KO’s are completed. We move onto trying to box off Y8/Y9. Chronology, Key Figure, Terminology and Core Content all in one place for students to reflect on and refer to during lessons and in preparation for assessments. #historyteacher
Something we’re considering are ‘Progress Points’ half way through a unit. Ensuring students have a grasp of key terms, foundational knowledge and a sense of narrative of how events link/impact. Provides insight on what to revisit/prepares for summative assessment #historyteacher
July 1, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Something we’re considering are ‘Progress Points’ half way through a unit. Ensuring students have a grasp of key terms, foundational knowledge and a sense of narrative of how events link/impact. Provides insight on what to revisit/prepares for summative assessment #historyteacher
Looking to adapt how students engage with extracts by varied approaches to guarantee thorough reading. Start with scanning for quotes, read to answer comprehension questions and then combine the extract with own knowledge to provide explanations. #historyteacher
June 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Looking to adapt how students engage with extracts by varied approaches to guarantee thorough reading. Start with scanning for quotes, read to answer comprehension questions and then combine the extract with own knowledge to provide explanations. #historyteacher
This year we’ve developed a range of ‘Clip Sheets’ which have helped to make each snippet more meaningful. Students have quality short answers to reflect back on, the set questions promote wider debate and logistically they’ve been excellent for cover work. Win! #historyteacher
June 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This year we’ve developed a range of ‘Clip Sheets’ which have helped to make each snippet more meaningful. Students have quality short answers to reflect back on, the set questions promote wider debate and logistically they’ve been excellent for cover work. Win! #historyteacher
Still not finished, not sure it ever will be but we’ve made a lot of progress in developing our KS3 curriculum. Connected second-order concepts, guidance on outcomes and key vocabulary all identified for students, parents and staff to be aware of. #historyteacher
June 18, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Still not finished, not sure it ever will be but we’ve made a lot of progress in developing our KS3 curriculum. Connected second-order concepts, guidance on outcomes and key vocabulary all identified for students, parents and staff to be aware of. #historyteacher
Only Paper 3 to go and again there is so much knowledge to retain. These KO’s focus on who were the key figures of the topic and importantly a chronology of events, ‘the fallout’. Great as a one page reference for prompts and reminders before the exam. #historyteacher
June 8, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Only Paper 3 to go and again there is so much knowledge to retain. These KO’s focus on who were the key figures of the topic and importantly a chronology of events, ‘the fallout’. Great as a one page reference for prompts and reminders before the exam. #historyteacher
Still chipping away at KS3 assessment. Varied multiple choice formats provide a confidence boost for students whilst rigorously assessing knowledge. This builds to a historical skill/second order concept response. Review of knowledge/writing enhancement to finish. #historyteacher
June 2, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Still chipping away at KS3 assessment. Varied multiple choice formats provide a confidence boost for students whilst rigorously assessing knowledge. This builds to a historical skill/second order concept response. Review of knowledge/writing enhancement to finish. #historyteacher
So glad to see lots of students outside the exam hall for Paper 1 with their ‘If faced with’ question stem sheets. Juggling the content is difficult enough so having this quick reference point is a big help. #historyteacher
docs.google.com/file/d/1x2D1...
docs.google.com/file/d/1x2D1...
May 21, 2025 at 3:09 PM
So glad to see lots of students outside the exam hall for Paper 1 with their ‘If faced with’ question stem sheets. Juggling the content is difficult enough so having this quick reference point is a big help. #historyteacher
docs.google.com/file/d/1x2D1...
docs.google.com/file/d/1x2D1...
More ‘Clip Sheets’ made for consistent/meaningful notes. This version focuses on Ian Mortimer’s brilliant ‘Time Travellers’ BBC series that are great at bringing Elizabethan society to life. The format provides a good foundation for conversation/expanding answers. #historyteacher
May 12, 2025 at 5:52 PM
More ‘Clip Sheets’ made for consistent/meaningful notes. This version focuses on Ian Mortimer’s brilliant ‘Time Travellers’ BBC series that are great at bringing Elizabethan society to life. The format provides a good foundation for conversation/expanding answers. #historyteacher
Old but gold. ‘Has it stuck’ recall is a great recall format. Students begin with ‘core knowledge’ post it’s in the centre and work their way out. Accessible for all yet full of challenge. Great for all Key Stages and easily adapted. #historyteacher
docs.google.com/presentation...
docs.google.com/presentation...
May 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Old but gold. ‘Has it stuck’ recall is a great recall format. Students begin with ‘core knowledge’ post it’s in the centre and work their way out. Accessible for all yet full of challenge. Great for all Key Stages and easily adapted. #historyteacher
docs.google.com/presentation...
docs.google.com/presentation...
Next round of ‘All Four One’ KS3 homework sheets. This format has helped with the consistency of our homework setting and offers flexibility with setting either the entire sheet or individual tasks. Short sharp bursts of meaningful knowledge/second order concepts. #historyteacher
April 27, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Next round of ‘All Four One’ KS3 homework sheets. This format has helped with the consistency of our homework setting and offers flexibility with setting either the entire sheet or individual tasks. Short sharp bursts of meaningful knowledge/second order concepts. #historyteacher
April 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Business end of the academic year when we return. Our GCSE History (Edexcel) KO’s are available on our school website curriculum area to help digest the vast information required onto one point of reference. A solid foundation for revision/prompt for retrieval. #historyteacher
April 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Business end of the academic year when we return. Our GCSE History (Edexcel) KO’s are available on our school website curriculum area to help digest the vast information required onto one point of reference. A solid foundation for revision/prompt for retrieval. #historyteacher