Creativity in History: NEPI meeting 5 - 2nd year
On Thursday 21st June, we returned back to Hoult’s Yard for our penultimate North East Primary Innovators meeting of this year. The focus of the meeting was Creativity in History which produced some great discussions across the day.
Dan Jackson – History key speaker
We were delighted to welcome Dr Dan Jackson, acclaimed historian and author of The Northumbrians: North East England and its People, A New History, which was recognised as a Sunday Times Book of the Year in 2019. A proud North Easterner, Dr Jackson was educated at Astley High School in Seaton Delaval and later completed his PhD in History at Northumbria University.
Dr Dan Jackson’s presentation focused on making history meaningful and rooted in place. He drew on his work ‘The Northumbrians’ to show how the North East’s past reflects wider national stories while retaining a strong regional identity. He emphasised the importance of storytelling, local context and human experience in engaging children with history. By connecting big historical themes to familiar places and people, he encouraged teachers to help children see themselves within the narrative. His talk highlighted that history is not just facts to learn but stories to question, interpret and understand more deeply.
Peer learning visits
The morning continued with insightful reflections on the recent peer learning visits undertaken by each school. Colleagues were given dedicated time to share where they had visited, the focus of their observations and the key takeaways they brought back. It was encouraging to hear how these visits are strengthening professional networks, promoting the sharing of effective practice, and having a positive impact across our schools.
Creativity in History
We concluded the morning with a session exploring creativity in History—particularly what it means to think like a historian. The discussion highlighted the creative skills pupils need alongside secure factual knowledge. Together, we explored a range of approaches, including enquiry-led learning, analysing conflicting sources, and using drama techniques to help pupils step back in time. Schools then had the opportunity to work with Ellie Bletchley, History Lead at Cragside, to begin planning a History unit that embeds creative habits and deepens historical thinking.
The day proved to be a rich and energising opportunity for colleagues to deepen their understanding of creativity within the History curriculum. From expert insight to peer‑led reflection and practical planning, the session brought together a strong blend of inspiration and collaboration.