This paper discusses some traditional approaches to the teaching of evolutionary theory at pre-university level, criticising in particular some of the more commonly used models and exemplars. Curricular demands are described and an alternative approach is suggested, using the emerging story of human evolution. Recent discoveries help to illustrate that this is also an active area of research interest. Approaches to discussions of scientific scepticism and also to unpicking and understanding scientific language are suggested to help empower students' engagement with a difficult area of their biological education. (Contains 2 figures and 2 tables.)