The independent charity – which looks after Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, and more – will celebrate UK teachers who make history exciting, inclusive and meaningful. Much-loved historian and broadcaster Lucy Worsley to lead the national judging panel, alongside Greg Jenner, Sathnam Sanghera, Dan Jones, Shalina Patel and more.
Historic Royal Palaces today announces that its inaugural Inspiring History Teaching Awards is now open for entries. Delivered with support from the Historical Association and partners across the UK, this new national award scheme celebrates teachers who bring the past to life in classrooms across the country.
More than ever, history is a vital subject in schools. Great teachers around the UK are igniting a love and appreciation for the past. They help make sense of the world and one’s place in it. They spark curiosity by exploring important stories that are relevant to everyone. And they encourage young people to ask questions and develop critical thinking – crucial skills in the age of social media and AI.
To recognise this important work, Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) will award 10 regional and national winners – each receiving a £500 cash prize for themselves and £500 for their school along with annual memberships to HRP and Historical Association plus the chance to become an HRP Teacher Champion. One overall winner will receive an additional £500 for themselves and £500 for their school, plus a lifetime HRP membership. Read the full details at hrp.org.uk/teachingawards.
The Inspiring History Teaching Awards are an extension of Historic Royal Palaces’ own work to bring history to life for every child in the UK. As an independent charity, HRP receives no Government or Crown funding and relies on visitors, members, donors and partners to care for its six remarkable palaces: Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House, Kew Palace, and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
Over the next 10 years, it is committed to reaching every school in the UK through on-site visits, school programmes, new digital experiences and teacher support. The Inspiring History Teaching Awards mark a new chapter in that ambition— a timely, national moment to shine a light on teachers who bring the past to life, spark curiosity, and inspire students.
The Inspiring History Teaching Awards are about impact beyond exam results. The judging panel will be looking for innovation and ingenuity: the class that are vividly transported to Ancient Egypt or Tudor England; The child who comes home bursting to share mind-boggling facts; or the student who finds new pride in their community after discovering a local hero who changed society for the better.
This brand-new, national award is designed to celebrate teachers from every corner of the UK, at all career levels, within Primary, Secondary, Further Education, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or Additional Support Needs (ASN). Nominations are free and simple to do and can be submitted by anyone over 18. The charity is encouraging colleagues, parents, guardians, governors – and teachers themselves – to champion brilliant history educators making a difference.
On Saturday 20th June 2026, a prestigious ceremony will be held at the Tower of London where the 10 regional and national winners will be celebrated, and the overall winner will be revealed.
Lucy Worsley, Historian, Broadcaster and HRP Ambassador, will lead the judging process to decide who clinches the top award. She says: “Great history teaching doesn’t just tell students what happened—it helps them think, question and connect with the world around them. We’re looking for the inspirational people who do this every day in their classrooms. If that’s you – or somebody you know – please send in a nomination. HRP’s Inspiring History Teaching Awards will be an important chance to celebrate their hard work, creativity and passion.”
On the national judging panel, Worsley is joined by more of the UK’s most respected and recognisable historians, educators and writers, including:
- Greg Jenner - Historian and Podcast Host (You’re Dead To Me)
- Sathnam Sanghera - Journalist and Author (Empireland, Empireworld and The Boy with the Topknot)
- Dan Jones - Historian, Author and Podcast Host (This Is History)
- Shalina Patel - Historian, Teacher and Writer (The History Lessons)
- Michael Riley – History Educator and Academic
- Katie Hunter – Teacher, Activist and Researcher
To ensure the awards have a truly national reach, HRP is collaborating with organisations across all four devolved nations. UK-wide partners include the Historical Association – who is the Associate Partner for the awards - and the Association of Independent Museums. In Wales, HRP is working with Cadw; in Scotland, with Royal Collection Trust and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish Maritime Museum, and the Scottish Association for the Teaching of History; and in Northern Ireland, with National Museums NI and the History Teachers’ Association of Northern Ireland.
HRP’s Inspiring History Teaching Awards are now open for entries at hrp.org.uk/teachingawards. Entries will close on Sunday 25 January 2026.
Notes to Editors
For more information or interviews with the judging panel / HRP spokespeople, please contact imogen.turner@carverpr.co.uk or becca.newson@carverpr.co.uk.
Key Dates - Inspiring History Teaching Awards
- Tuesday 21 October 2025 - Entries open
- Sunday 25 January 2026 (23:59) - Entries close
- Wednesday 25 March 2026 - 10 regional/national winners announced
- Saturday 20 June 2026 - Award ceremony at the Tower of London to reveal overall winner
About Historic Royal Palaces (HRP)
Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that loves and looks after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. The palaces are the setting for the stories that shape us all, and we’re bringing them to people in ways that mean more to them. We want everyone to find themselves in the spaces and stories we share.
Registered charity number 1068852. For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk
About Historical Association
The Historical Association supports the study and enjoyment of history for all. For over 100 years, we’ve brought people together to explore the past, share new insights, and keep history alive and relevant. We connect teachers, students, academics, and enthusiasts through events, courses, CPD, and publications - online and in person. Our member-led community offers access to expert knowledge, inspiring speakers, and opportunities to debate and discover inspirational historical questions. As “the voice for history,” we champion its place in schools and lifelong learning, providing resources to inspire the next generation of historians.
Registered charity number 120261.
About the Association for Independent Museums
AIM (Association of Independent Museums) represents, connects and strengthens the UK’s independent museums and heritage organisations. AIM is a supportive and engaged community of over 1000 members from across the UK, offering approachable expertise and practical guidance built on almost fifty years’ experience. From the board to the front desk, AIM’s pragmatism inspires innovation, enabling members to build resilience, network and plan effectively in these challenging times.
About Cadw
Cadw is the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, our mission is to care for our historic places, inspiring current and future generations. Our vision if for a Wales where our historic places are cared for, understood and shared by everyone. Our historic places continue to play a vital role in shaping modern Wales. They provide a living link to our diverse histories and help us make sense our place in a changing world. Cadw is a Welsh word meaning ‘to keep’ or ‘to protect’.
About Royal Collection Trust and the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Royal Collection Trust is a charity caring for the Royal Collection and welcoming visitors to the royal palaces. We bring our shared history to life through world-class experiences that involve and inspire people, wherever they are. Income from tickets and retail sales helps us to conserve the Collection so that it can be enjoyed by everyone for generations to come. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official home of His Majesty The King in Scotland. It has been a royal residence for over 500 years and has been the scene of great events across the centuries involving Robert the Bruce, Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Queen Victoria. A visit to the Palace provides a memorable setting for learning and unique opportunities to meet Experiences and Outcomes of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence.
About Scottish Maritime Museum
The Scottish Maritime Museum, with sites in Irvine and Dumbarton, preserves over 300 years of Scotland’s shipbuilding legacy. It features the nation’s largest collection of historic vessels and artefacts and hosts the Scottish Boatbuilding School. The Museum offers educational programmes aligned with Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, as well as working closely with our communities to co-produce events and workshops that promote learning, heritage, and wellbeing.
About Scottish Association for the Teaching of History
The Scottish Association of Teachers of History was created in the 1970s with the aim of providing an organisation to support history teachers and promote innovative and exciting learning in the history classroom. From its beginning it has been a forum for Scottish History Teachers to comment on developments in education in Scotland, share new ideas and resources and provide training for history teachers through its conferences. Above all, SATH seeks to raise awareness of the importance of History within the Scottish curriculum.
About National Museums NI
National Museums NI is made up of four distinct museums that preserve, protect and promote Northern Ireland's cultural assets, knowledge and collective memory. Ulster Museum, Ulster Transport Museum, Ulster Folk Museum and Ulster American Folk Park are shared and trusted spaces to explore who we are, where we have come from and where we might we be going. Each museum offers unique, curriculum-linked learning experiences that bring history, science and art to life for over 43,000 pupils per year. Onsite and virtual workshops encourage enquiry, discussion and active learning, while providing novel and interesting ways for all kinds of learners to connect with key aspects of the NI Curriculum.
About History Teachers Association of Northern Ireland
The History Teachers’ Association of Northern Ireland (HTANI) is a member-led organisation representing history educators across Northern Ireland. Its primary aim is to safeguard and promote the vital role of history within the curriculum, while addressing the needs of both teachers and students. HTANI provides a forum for history educators to exchange ideas, share expertise, and access resources through regular events, social media engagement, and blog contributions. Working in partnership with local and national heritage bodies to develop programmes and resources that reflect the specific needs of history teachers in Northern Ireland.
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