Using the BBC series–Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland–to support the teaching of contested and controversial history within the Northern Ireland context.
Dates: 3rd & 4th March 2026
Time: Registration from 9.30am; course runs until 3.00pm
Venue: Ulster Museum, Belfast
PEACEPLUS ASPIRE is hosting a new professional learning programme for teachers. This two‑day course will explore how the BBC documentary Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland can be used to support the teaching of contested and controversial history within the Northern Ireland context. The documentary provides powerful personal testimonies that model how lived experience can deepen students’ understanding of conflict, memory, and the complexity of the past.
The programme will be facilitated by experienced practitioners, including HTANI chairman Denver Charles who will guide participants in understanding the importance of using testimony and will model practical, sensitive approaches for classroom use. It is also anticipated that participants of the series will attend and share their experiences. The Ulster Museum will also deliver a dedicated session outlining their approach to presenting and interpreting contested histories within a museum context.
This programme is open to all teaching staff. It may be especially valuable for colleagues teaching History or Learning for Life & Work. This course is ideal for teachers who wish to:
- Build confidence teaching sensitive or controversial historical topics
- Integrate testimony and personal narrative meaningfully into lessons
- Strengthen students’ critical and empathetic engagement with the past
- Explore high‑quality, locally relevant historical sources
To book your place, please complete the form below:
Register for Conflict, Memory and Meaning: Using Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland
Organisers strongly recommend that participants Watch Once upon a time in Northern Ireland on the iPlayer
Unfortunately, sub-cover is not available, but everyone is welcome.
