The Key Principles

1 Questioning: learning is about asking and answering questions. Questions focus attention, rouse curiosity and interest, elicit views and stimulate discussion.

2 Challenge: challenge pupils to speculate, to debate, to make connections, to select, to prioritise, to persist, in tackling real issues and important questions.

3 Depth: real knowledge demands study in depth. Children's expertise and confidence develop as a result of deep knowledge.

4 Authenticity: we do not need to give children Mickey Mouse versions of what we want them to learn. Challenge them with authentic materials.

5 Economy: children will learn more from a few well-chosen resources which they can focus on than from an unstructured jumble.

6 Accessibility: make learning accessible to all children by starting with what they know and can do, and building on that. Also by finding a key - something they can identify with which will unlock the door to engagement and learning.

7 Communication: essential for consolidating learning and to give it purpose. Give children the opportunity to communicate to a real audience.

See also Leading History

Real artefacts: British empire coins