Image credit: Image taken by and shared with the permission of Little Heath School

Target age range: History teachers of Key Stages 3–5

This enquiry contains four fully resourced lessons from which students can learn through experience how claims about the past are constructed. Students are faced with a previously unresearched topic of historical enquiry, and must undertake archival research and explore material remains to make and support their own claims about this subject. The lessons are supported by two films, which introduce archival and archaeological research and model the processes involved in locating sources.

Although the lessons focus on Henry VIII’s visits to Reading, the accompanying teacher guidance notes offer support for adapting this enquiry for another local area or topic.

This resource was written by Sarah-Jane Bee, teacher of history at Little Heath School in Reading and South East England Winner of the Inspiring History Teaching Awards. We would particularly like to acknowledge Reading Museum (Reading Borough Council), Royal Berkshire Archive and Reading Abbey for their support in the development of this enquiry and the accompanying resources.

Films

Film 1 – using an archive to locate sources

(7.44 minutes long)

0.00–3.38: Pupils interview an archivist to find out more about what an archive is and what an archivist does.
3.38–end: Pupils use the archive to locate potential sources for their enquiry and discuss what they’ve learned about how history is constructed from undertaking this part of the research process.
Show films 2 and 3

Please note: while this resource has been produced as part of a Historical Association Teacher Fellowship, any opinions expressed by the author(s) are their own and do not necessarily represent HA policy.

Every effort has been made to trace all image copyright holders and permissions in these resources, although occasionally it has not been possible to identify them. Please contact Maheema Chanrai at maheema.chanrai@history.org.uk with any queries.