SATH

SATH is over a quarter of a century old. 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.

In the 21st century SATH continues to undertake these tasks. It also regularly provides views on developments such as education for citizenship or the current curriculum review. It is consulted for comment by a variety of bodies such as the Scottish Government, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, BBC, National Archives and the National Trust for Scotland. SATH organises two conferences a year, which have provided important and well-regarded staff development for history teachers in recent years. Through its two publications, the Association strives to keep teacher in Scotland up to date:

• The History Teaching Review normally includes at least six academic articles on topics of relevance to the Scottish history curriculum.
• The Resources Review provides reviews of recently published resources for use in schools.

Above all, SATH seeks to raise awareness of the importance of History within the Scottish curriculum. The Council of Europe has emphasised the role of History in developing national culture and identity. Active citizenship, we believe, depends an appreciation of how Scottish society has developed, not in a narrow parochial sense, but in the context of Britain, Europe and the wider world. A full knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it cannot be developed without History. History Education is also important in developing skills for learning, life and work: literacy, communication skills, numeracy, critical and creative thinking, the ability to make reasoned evaluations and problem solving. History provides the foundation for Education for Citizenship. It provides essential knowledge and understanding of how rights and responsibilities have evolved in Scotland and Britain.

History, and the teaching of it, is of vital importance to the education of young people in Scotland.

SATH offers its members a great deal of support:

• Online resources and discussion forums.
• SATH yearbook and resources review.
• SATH sponsored textbooks.
• Conferences on current issues facing History education in Scotland.
• CPD for McCrone and the Chartered Teacher Programme.
• Lobbying and consultation with national bodies to further develop History teaching in Scotland.

SATH offers you the only opportunity to meet and collaborate with History educators across Scotland. SATH offers you the only opportunity to meet and collaborate with History educators across Scotland. As a result of a vote at our recent AGM (Nov 2014) membership is now free for all.

By signing up to our mailing list you will get an email at least once a term explaining what we are up to and giving you advice on courses to undertake and resources to use. As our database of contacts expands we will also look at how we can get teachers to meet up and collaborate more regularly.

If you would like to subscribe to the SATH mailing list, please send an email to:

MainSATH@gmail.com

SATH has made great efforts in recent years to provide practical support for its members. It has cooperated with Heinemann publishers producing textbooks for Scottish pupils. SATH also produced a leaflet on ‘Why Study History?’ to help explain the important role that History plays in developing the key elements of citizenship for young people in Scotland.

Materials are shared between history educators using the SATH forum and Glow (Scotland’s secure online education community).

We are slowly but surely compiling ‘topic resource breakdown sheets’ for each of the N5 and Higher topics. These are resources put together by History teachers, for History teachers, and we welcome all submissions, edits or suggestions! Get involved by tweeting @SATHinfo, @NelsonHistory or emailing SATHmembership@gmail.com.