The National Archives History Toolkit for Primary Schools

Teaching history using original sources is crucial to developing pupils' critical thinking skills and understanding of what history is all about. Each lesson in this go-to guide is based on an original historical source from The National Archives that has never seen the light of day in standard school history textbooks. This enables a unique enquiry-based approach to teaching history that will fascinate and inspire pupils and develop their historical knowledge. The historical sources can be previewed in the book and downloaded from a companion website, allowing them to be flexible teaching tools.

Covering themes across the National Curriculum, including events of national importance, the lives of significant individuals, the changing power of monarchs, aspects of social history from past to present and significant turning points, this toolkit makes it possible for all primary teachers to bring history to life throughout Key Stages 1 and 2.

This comprehensive toolkit supports primary teachers in delivering engaging, curriculum-linked history lessons using authentic historical sources. Designed for Key Stages 1 and 2, it helps develop pupils’ critical thinking and enquiry skills while exploring key themes in British history.

• Includes a paperback manual with lesson plans, activities, and photocopiable worksheets

• Features original historical sources from The National Archives, previewed in the book and available for download

• Covers National Curriculum themes such as significant individuals, national events, monarchs, and social history

• Suitable for use across Key Stages 1 and 2

• Book dimensions: 297 x 210 mm

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing; ISBN: 9781472959355