GCSE or A level course usually feel like fresh starts – it’s implied by empty folders or books, textbooks that are new to them, new examinations. This context means that it is all too easy for students to assume they are starting the course without any knowledge that will be useful to them – an assumption that can undermine students’ confidence.

Therefore boost students’ confidence by taking every opportunity to identify and use students’ existing knowledge which could be:

a) content knowledge about the events and people of the period

b) understanding of the ideas or thinking during the period

c) understanding of how to tackle causal questions or handle sources or work on other concepts.

And don’t be put off by a lack of immediate recall or contributions – students may need mental prodding but if you have prepared effectively at KS3 much of the material you’re after will be there. Of course it’s easier to get answers to that important question ‘Do you remember when we did … ? if the activities used at KS3 have been distinctively memorable.

See Resource File, Page 11