Free Local History Resources for Teachers

University of London website provides free resources for teachers

A Heritage Lottery-funded project, based at the University of London, has developed a free, local history resource aimed at both teachers and pupils.

The Schools Learning Zone has been produced as part of the England's Past for Everyone (EPE) project, run by the Victoria County History (VCH) at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London. The website has been developed following a series of school projects run by the EPE project, in partnership with schools, local authorities, education consultants and other learning professionals.

Launched at BETT 2009, the Schools Learning Zone is aimed at Key Stages 1-3 and shows how local history can be taught across the curriculum. New material has been added to the site over the past 12 months, including lesson plans, activities, timelines and ‘Did you knows?', relating to themes such as agriculture, Tudor life, buildings history and life in a mining community. Pupils can access a number of interactives, including an illustrated quiz on the history of papermaking.

All materials have been developed by education professionals and edited by VCH staff to ensure historical accuracy. Teachers can download complete teaching packs, or select individual activities to enhance their own lesson plans. Selected links to the England's Past For Everyone ‘Explore' website provide access to further related images and historical documents, to enable more in-depth study.

Visit the Schools Learning Zone now, and find a wealth of material designed to enthuse pupils about the history on their doorstep.