Photo credit: Gabrielle Grant
The storytelling of Dr. Fern Riddell, at her ‘Hidden Histories’ workshop had our Project Lead glued to her seat, which meant she had to stay until the end, having initially planned on a brief visit to make acquaintances and take photographs! EKST’s guest speaker truly delivered a valuable CPD session for the partnership’s History and PSHE colleagues, who came away with a wealth of ideas.
Rosie Kenmir, Head of History and Politics at Kent College, writes:
History teachers across the EKST partnership recently collaborated with Dr. Fern Riddell to explore how more hidden and overlooked histories can be meaningfully incorporated into the curriculum. Together, we reflected on why these histories matter and the importance of ensuring students encounter a broader, more representative understanding of the past.
A key focus of the session was the Suffragette movement and the many ways it can be used to open wider classroom conversations. Through this topic, students can engage with themes including:
- The history of suffrage and the development of voting rights
- Feminism and changing attitudes towards gender equality
- The rise of the “manosphere” and the spread of toxic online messaging
- Processes of radicalisation and political extremism
- Debates around protest, violence, and terrorism
We also explored LGBTQ+ history and considered how these narratives can be embedded within History lessons, as well as how they can support wider PSHE provision. These discussions highlighted the value of creating a curriculum that not only reflects diverse experiences but also helps students make meaningful connections between the past and contemporary society.
To finish, we discussed the work of the historian and how to engage pupils with historical research, enquiry, and interpretation.
Fern was deeply engaging throughout the session, and we left feeling energised and excited about the opportunities to review and strengthen our schemes of work. Her published books will undoubtedly support us on this journey, and we are extremely grateful for her time, expertise, and insight. We look forward to continuing to work with her as we further develop and revitalise our KS3 curriculum.
To find out more about Dr. Riddell’s work, visit: DR FERN RIDDELL