Do you know a teacher who deserves to go down in history?
We’re searching for teachers across the country who are as inspiring as the history they are teaching.
The Inspiring History Teaching Awards celebrate teachers who make history exciting, inclusive and meaningful, bringing the past to life and inspiring students to see the world differently. Created by Historic Royal Palaces and delivered in collaboration with the Historical Association and organisations across the UK, these awards are all about shining a light on amazing teachers.
Winners and prizes
We are rewarding the nation’s top teachers with incredible prizes! Ten winners will each receive individual and school cash prizes, along with membership to Historic Royal Palaces and corporate membership to the Historical Association. They will be honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Tower of London where the overall winner will be revealed.
Each of the winners are also invited to become Historic Royal Palaces’ Teacher Champions where they can inspire fellow educators at special events and teacher training.
Judges
Regional and national winners will be selected by local panels of history and education specialists. The overall winner will then be chosen by a panel led by acclaimed historian, author and presenter Lucy Worsley, including Greg Jenner, Sathnam Sanghera, Michael Riley, Katie Hunter and Shalina Patel.
Meet the judges"Great history teaching doesn’t just tell students what happened; it helps them think, question, and connect with the world around them. It brings history to life, inspiring curiosity, understanding and a love of learning.”
Lucy Worsley, Lead Judge and Historic Royal Palaces Ambassador
Eligibility criteria
These awards are open to current teachers of history across the UK, including those in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, who teach in Primary, Secondary, Further Education, SEND/ASN, and other alternative provision settings. Teachers do not need to be history specialists to be eligible. We welcome nominations for teachers at all stages of their careers, including early career teachers.
Teachers can be nominated by someone else or nominate themselves. The person making the nomination must be over 18. If you are a student who is under 18 nominating a teacher, then you need to get an adult to register on the site and complete the nomination for you.
Essential information
Once a teacher is nominated, they will be notified by email and asked if they want to continue with their entry. Teachers will then need to supply further details about their inspirational history teaching in line with our criteria, along with evidence to support their entry.
We recommend that you let the teacher know you have nominated them. Tell them to look out for an email, get them to check their junk email in case it has gone to the wrong inbox.
Entries close on Sunday 25 January 2026 at 23:59.
Terms and conditionsFAQs
What is the process?
- Teachers can be nominated by someone else or nominate themselves.
- Nominated teachers will be notified by email and can decide to accept or reject the nomination.
- Nominated teachers will then be asked to provide more information to complete their entry. There are 6 criteria for the Inspiring History Teaching Awards. You can view them here. Teachers will be asked to complete 4 out of 6 criteria and upload supporting evidence to complete their entry.
- Teachers will be notified by email on the status of their entry.
What are the key dates I need to be aware of?
Entries open on Tuesday 21 October 2025 at 00:01 and close on Sunday 25 January 2026 at 23:59. Please note this date is final and there will be no extensions provided.
If you are nominating someone else we recommend completing your nomination by Sunday 18 January 2026 so that the teacher has enough time to submit their evidence.
National and regional winners will be announced on Wednesday 25 March 2026.
The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday 20 June 2026 at the Tower of London, where the overall winner will be announced.
What are the prizes?
All regional and national winners will receive a cash prize of £500 each and an annual Historic Royal Palaces membership. Winners’ schools will receive a prize of £500 to spend on history education. All winners will receive a corporate membership for Historical Association.
All regional and national winners will be invited to become Historic Royal Palaces Teacher Champions. Opportunities will include facilitating teacher training and presenting at special Teacher Network events facilitated by Historic Royal Palaces.
All winners will be invited to the Tower of London for a celebratory awards ceremony and dinner on Saturday 20 June 2026 where an overall winner, will be announced.
In addition to the prizes above, the overall winner will win a further £500 (£1000 in total) and have their Historic Royal Palaces membership extended to lifetime membership. The overall winner’s school will also receive a further £500 to spend on history education (£1000 in total).
Who can be nominated for the awards?
These awards are open to teachers of history across the UK, who are currently teaching in Primary, Secondary, Further Education, SEND/ASN schools and other alternative provision settings. The following subject areas are included: The World Around Us and Environment and Society in Northern Ireland; Humanities Area of Learning and Experience in Wales; Social Studies in Scotland. The teacher does not need to be a history specialist, if they teach history as part of their role, they are eligible. These awards are open to teachers at all stages of their careers including early career teachers. Teachers in home educational settings or private tutors are not eligible.
Who can submit a nomination?
Anyone who knows an inspiring teacher of history can submit a nomination! This could include school colleagues, governors and parents or guardians of students. You can also nominate yourself. The person making the nomination must be over 18 to register for the site and complete the nomination.
If someone under 18 would like to nominate a teacher, they will require an adult to register and complete the nomination on their behalf.
Is it free to nominate?
Yes, it is completely free to nominate or self-nominate for the Inspiring History Teaching Awards.
Can I nominate anonymously?
No, you will need to provide your name and email address. The teacher will be able to view who nominated them and the reasons why they have been nominated.
Do I need to ask for the teacher’s permission before nominating them?
You do not need the teacher’s permission to nominate them. However, we recommend that you let the teacher know you have nominated them. Occasionally, this message may go to their junk or spam folder. You may wish to let them know to look out for the email and check those folders if needed.
What do I need to know/do before making a nomination?
You need to know the name and email address of the teacher you are nominating and be able to explain in no more than 200 words why you are nominating them for the Inspiring History Teaching Awards.
How long do I have to nominate someone?
Entries close on Sunday 25 January 2026. If you are nominating someone else we recommend completing your nomination by Sunday 18 January 2026 so that the teacher has enough time to submit their evidence.
Is there a limit on how many nominations I can submit?
No, you can make multiple nominations.
What will happen when I nominate a teacher?
- Nominated teachers will be notified by email and can decide to accept or reject the nomination. They will be able to see who nominated them.
- Nominated teachers will be asked to provide more information and supporting evidence to complete their entry.
What happens if I have been nominated but do not want to proceed with my entry?
You are welcome to reject the nomination. If you change your mind, you can contact us at Teaching.awards@hrp.org.uk and we can reinstate your nomination.
What will happen if I accept a nomination?
You will be asked to complete your entry. There are 6 criteria for the Inspiring History Teaching Awards. You can view them here. Teachers will be asked to complete 4 out of 6 criteria and upload supporting evidence to complete their entry.
How can I complete an entry?
1. If you are nominating yourself:
Once you have nominated yourself, you will be asked to provide information and evidence to support your entry. You must submit your entry before the deadline of Sunday 25 January 2026 at 23:59.
2. If you have been nominated by someone else:
You will receive an email with a link to proceed with your entry. You will be asked to provide information and evidence to support your entry. You must submit your entry before the deadline of Sunday 25 January 2026 at 23:59.
How long will it take to complete my entry?
This will vary between entrants. We understand how busy teachers are, so the process is designed to be straightforward. You need to provide information and evidence for 4 out of 6 criteria. There is a limit of 200 words per criterion.
Can I use AI?
We do not recommend the use of automated software or artificial intelligence software in your entry to prepare your evidence or application answers. This could give generalised responses that are not personal to you.
Can I save my entry and return to it?
Yes, you can continue to edit and save your entry up to the deadline of Sunday 25 January 2026 at 23:59.
Can I access my application once it’s been submitted?
No, once you have submitted your entry it cannot be edited.
Can I change the language on the awards platform to Welsh?
Yes, to change the language to Welsh contact us at teaching.awards@hrp.org.uk. You can also select Welsh as the language for the awards platform when you create an account.
How will entries be judged?
Entries will be judged against the eligibility requirements and information provided against 4 out of 6 criteria for inspiring history teaching and evidence submitted.
Who will be judging the awards?
Entries will be judged depending on region. For each of the 10 regional areas, entries will be judged by local panels of specialists in education and heritage. Historic Royal Palaces are working in partnership with organisations across the UK.
The overall winner will be judged by a panel made up of eminent historians and educators including Lucy Worsley, Greg Jenner, Sathnam Sanghera, Michael Riley, Katie Hunter and Shalina Patel.
Will individual feedback be given?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide individual feedback on entries.
How many winners are there?
There will be 10 regional winners including a winner in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and 7 regions of England.
One overall winner will be selected from these 10 regional and national winners.
Will I get to attend the awards ceremony?
All winners plus 1 guest will be invited to the Tower of London for the awards ceremony and dinner on Saturday 20 June 2026 where the overall winner will be announced.
Additional guests will be welcome to buy a ticket for the event (subject to availability). The price of this ticket will be confirmed nearer to the event.
Does it cost to attend the awards ceremony?
There will be no charge for attendance at the event for winners and their guest. Historic Royal Palaces will cover travel and accommodation expenses for winners and their guest wishing to attend this event (subject to approval by Historic Royal Palaces).
Additional guests will be required to buy a ticket for the event. The price of this ticket will be confirmed nearer to the event.
What if I can’t attend the ceremony?
We would love to see as many winners as possible at the awards celebration, but if you are unable to attend then please do not let this stop you from entering.
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