Teaching Local History At KS2

local history Some of the best teaching seen at this level has involved pupils investigating their locality. But also some of the worst. This is largely because the focus of the enquiry has not always been clear, there has been too little attention to disciplinary concepts and the resources for pupils’ research have not been made accessible to this age group.

All of these issues have been addressed through 3 case studies of good practice we have provided for a number of years. South London, Middlesex and the New Forest.

With the government review of the National Curriculum (October 2025) local history was singled out as needing greater attention, not least as a vehicle for helping pupils see history as more relevant, relatable and immediately accessible. So, the panel below outlines the steps we have taken to help you make more of your locality. You’ll see three new elements: a new case study of Leicester, a list of 10 creative approaches I have seen recently, and then a detailed list of famous people, events and links to wider history associated with a large number of towns and cities. I’m afraid we couldn’t run to villages!!

Significant people and events

You will be aware, by now, that one of the few recommendations included in the curriculum review (Oct 2025) affecting the history curriculum relates to local history.

It is seen not only as valuable in it’s own right and helps to bring community cohesion, it also is a great vehicle for looking at diversity.

If you feel that the curriculum that Gove set up over a dozen years ago features just too many distant, dead, white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant males, then here is the one glaring opportunity to redress that imbalance.

To help you consider the options of who study and where to focus on, we have set about the mammoth task of listing historically significant people and some of the key events that are linked to the cities and large towns nearest to you.

We have started with a full view of Leicester which you might like to regard as a template for your own choice. We have also built up a list of towns and cities across the UK with thought starters for historically significant people and events you may wish to study or take inspiration from.

Obviously for many of you, especially at KS1, you will want to focus on a much smaller area, possibly just a square mile and to study people who children find more relatable .

Whatever your approach, you might find it helpful to have some ideas to stimulate your creative planning.