Elaine McPeake, a teacher at St Dominic’s Grammar School in Belfast, has been named the Northern Ireland winner of the Inspiring History Teaching Awards. The awards recognise educators for innovative history teaching. Hillsborough Castle and Gardens presented the honour.

McPeake has taught at the school for more than 20 years. She creates immersive classroom experiences, such as recreating historical scenes. Students have built a museum of childhood with toys from different eras and oral histories. The project appeared at the Ulster Museum.

She leads a History Club, after-school sessions and workshops. Trips include visits to Carrickfergus Castle and Auschwitz for Holocaust studies.

Caroline Walker, Head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, stated that McPeake’s passion for history shows in her work. Walker noted the impact of her projects on students.

The award provides McPeake with £500 personally and £500 for the school. Prizes also include memberships to Historic Royal Palaces and the Historical Association, plus access to a teacher wellbeing workshop.

McPeake will attend the UK awards ceremony at the Tower of London on June 20. Ten regional winners compete for the overall prize judged by a panel including historians and educators.

The awards partner with groups such as the Historical Association, Association of Independent Museums, National Museums NI and the History Teachers’ Association of Northern Ireland.