Historic Royal Palaces launches brand-new Inspiring History Teaching Awards
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.
Historic Royal Palaces has announced that its inaugural Inspiring History Teaching Awards is 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.
Image: Children on a School Trip to Hampton Court Palace Tudor Festival (c) Historic Royal Palaces
