Do you know a teacher who makes history come alive – who can turn dusty dates into living stories, and bring kings, queens and battles vividly to life in the classroom?
The Inspiring History Teaching Awards are looking for outstanding teachers from across the UK who make the past exciting, inclusive and meaningful for their students.
Created by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) and delivered in collaboration with the Historical Association and organisations across the country, the awards celebrate educators who inspire young people to see the world differently by understanding the past.
“These awards are all about shining a light on the amazing teachers who make history matter,” said a spokesperson for HRP, the independent charity that looks after many of Britain’s most famous landmarks – including the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, and more.
A celebration of inspiring teaching
Much-loved historian and broadcaster Lucy Worsley will lead the national judging panel, joined by an impressive line-up that includes Greg Jenner, Sathnam Sanghera, Dan Jones, Shalina Patel, and other respected historians and educators.
Historic Royal Palaces announced this week that its inaugural Inspiring History Teaching Awards are officially open for entries. The new national award scheme, supported by the Historical Association and partners across the UK, aims to recognise teachers who bring history to life in classrooms up and down the country.
“Great history teaching doesn’t just tell students what happened,” said Lucy Worsley. “It helps them think, question and connect with the world around them. We’re looking for the inspirational people who do this every day. If that’s you, or somebody you know, please send in a nomination.”
Bringing the past to life
Now more than ever, history plays a vital role in helping young people make sense of the world. Great history teachers spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and show how the stories of the past connect to our lives today.
To celebrate this important work, HRP will award ten regional and national winners, each receiving £500 for themselves and £500 for their school, along with annual memberships to Historic Royal Palaces and the Historical Association. Each winner will also become an HRP Teacher Champion.
One overall national winner will receive an additional £500 for themselves and £500 for their school, plus a lifetime HRP membership.
The winners will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony at the Tower of London on Saturday 20 June 2026.
More than exams
The awards are not about test scores or league tables. The judges will be looking for creativity, innovation and impact – the teachers who spark a love of learning in their classrooms.
It might be the class that is vividly transported to Ancient Egypt or Tudor England, the child who rushes home to share astonishing facts from a lesson, or the student who finds new pride in their community after discovering a local hero who changed history.
This new national award is open to teachers across Primary, Secondary, Further Education, and those working in SEND and ASN settings. Nominations are free and simple, and can be submitted by anyone over 18 – including colleagues, parents, governors, and the teachers themselves.
Once nominated, teachers will be contacted by email and asked if they wish to continue with their entry. They will then provide further details and evidence to support their nomination. HRP encourages nominators to let their teacher know and to remind them to check their inbox – and their junk mail – for confirmation.
A national moment to celebrate teachers
The Inspiring History Teaching Awards reflect Historic Royal Palaces’ wider mission to bring history to life for every child in the UK. As an independent charity that receives no Government or Crown funding, HRP relies on visitors, members, donors and partners to care for its six remarkable palaces: the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Banqueting House, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
Over the next decade, HRP plans to reach every school in the UK through visits, programmes, digital resources and teacher support. The new awards are part of that mission – a national moment to celebrate the creativity, dedication and passion of those who teach our shared past.
Nominations are open now and close on Sunday 25 January 2026.
For full details and to submit your nomination, visit hrp.org.uk/teachingawards.
Because some history teachers don’t just teach the past – they make history themselves.
