As the founders of Local History Month, the Historical Association has long recognised the power of local history and championed its place on the curriculum. Local history grounds us in our own communities, fosters a sense of identity and belonging, and brings to life the often-overlooked stories of ordinary people, bridging the gap between personal experience and broader national or world events, between the abstract and the tangible.

The Francis review of November 2025 also recognised the importance of local stories in the curriculum:

The National Curriculum already offers teachers scope to create inclusive learning experiences by weaving together topics and themes and drawing on case studies and exemplars. Often what is needed is greater exemplification and access to high-quality resources that support this work - including local exemplification that brings the curriculum to life.

(Francis report, p.33)

In history…

This (exemplification) should include analysis of a wide and diverse range of sources, including, where appropriate, a focus on local history to help students engage better with their local contexts.

We recommend that the Government:

• Adjusts the History Programmes of Study to:

Support the wider teaching of History’s inherent diversity, including through the analysis of a wide range of sources and, where appropriate, local history.

(Francis report, p.86)

The government response accepted this recommendation, indicating that:

we will be clearer about which content in the programme of study is non-statutory to provide more clarity for teachers on flexibility and optionality, including how local history and contexts can be studied to teach history through where children and young people live.

(Government response to Curriculum Review, November 2025, p.32)

Resources to support local history

Below you will find collated resources to support local history in your school. 

Building a local history and geography toolkit – Primary in person CPD taking place in May!

Local history and a sense of identity – This 2016 article explores some of the ways in which a local history can be used to give a sense of identity and place to primary-age children.

What makes good local history? – In this 2015 article, Alison Hales and Lynne Dixon explore the makings of an effective primary local history enquiry.

Exploring empire, artefacts and local history – In this 2021 article, Dan Lyndon-Cohen explores the Colonial Countryside Project, which revealed the links between National Trust properties and colonialism.

Local history scheme of work – As part of our suite of schemes of work, we provide a sample for local history at Key stage 1.

Local history scheme of work – As part of our suite of schemes of work, we provide a sample for local history at Key stage 2.

Local history scheme of work – As part of our suite of schemes of work, we provide another sample for local history at Key stage 1, this time based on the local high street.

Teaching local history through family – In this 2019 article, Tim Lomas demonstrates how family history can be a way in to local history.

Using cemeteries as a local history resource – In this 2015 article, Bev Forrest explores the richness of your local cemetery for local history.

War memorials as a local history resource – In this 2014 article, Ruth Cavender explores how you can link a local history enquiry to your local war memorial.

Developing local history in your primary curriculum (corporate members only) – In this 2020 subject leader guide, Stuart Boydell provides advice for the subject leader.

Belmont’s evacuee children: a local history project – In this 2021 article, George Skinner and Judith Peel unpack Belmont Primary School’s approach to a local history enquiry that focused on local evacuees.

How local history can bridge the gap – In this 2023 article, Stuart Boydell and Verity Downing take a look at how local history can help to bridge gaps in pupil understanding of the world at EYFS.

Using a house for your local history study – In this 2019 article, Helen Crawford explores how a house can be the focus of a local history study

Incorporating the Second World War into your local history work – This Primary History 2018 summer resource is bursting with practical ideas on how to incorporate the Second World War into your local history work. 

 Your local railway: A local history investigation at key stage 2 – In this 2017 article, Tim Lomas shows how the local railway can provide great impetus for a local history study.

Different ways of teaching local history through significant individuals – The Historical Association has a series of case studies of significant local individuals organised by counties or regions. In this article Tim Lomas builds on that resource by looking at the way such individuals can be used to develop knowledge and understanding of the locality.

Teaching local history in primary schools: learning about effective practice – In 2021 Rachel Bruce participated in the HA local history Teacher Fellowship. In this 2023 article, she outlines what she learned about effective primary local history and shares detail about how she constructed her outcome resource.

Working effectively with your local history societies: the benefits and the challenges – In this 2025 article, Nick Harman shares his school’s experience of participating in an exciting joint project with the local heritage society – which snowballed well beyond initial expectations and will create future benefits for the pupils of local schools. 

Film: discovering local and family history – In this short film, Steve Kenyon talks to children about the awe and discovery of finding local history all around them.

What’s in a road? Local history in early years and key stage 1 – In this article, Susie Townsend demonstrates how observation of a local street can reveal change over time.

The Bronte sisters: teaching local history through one remarkable family – In this 2025 article, Lorna Spencer’s focus on the Brontë sisters as a significant local family provides an insight into both their lives and their challenges, and how far these can be compared with those of different classes of people in the locality. Their experiences can also be related to wider issues, such as the role of women in the nineteenth century.

Take one day: undertaking an in-depth local enquiry – In this 2021 article, Kate Thomson and Tracy Wire provide support for teachers feeling overwhelmed by trying to plan a local history enquiry, by looking at a tight focus and depth rather than range.

Bringing history alive through local people and places – recorded webinar from Alison Hales.

Teaching Black British history through local archives – In this 2023 article, Steve Kenyon demonstrates how local archives can help to diversify local history.

Exploring the history of our place – In this 2023 article, Karin Doull considers how we can help very young children develop a sense of place.

Churches as a local historical source – In this 2014 article, Hilary Cooper explores how a local church can support a local history enquiry

Identifying sources to plan a local study – In this 2026 article, James Bowen gives practical advice about how to source a local history enquiry.

Using trade directories: reconstructing life 100 years ago – In this 2021 article, Alf Wilkinson demonstrates how to access and use trade directories to support a local history enquiry.

Emerging historians in the outdoors – In this 2019 article, Gillian Sykes reflects upon how given time and space to wander, local history walks can spark curiosity.

Come all ye fisher lassies – In this 2020 article, Karin Doull considers that all around the country we can identify rural and urban heritage that shaped places and people but that has now disappeared. Exploring the near past of your own place may well change your view of what your place was.

The theme for our 2026 Talking History public speaking competition for years 5 and 6 is: What is my favourite local history event?