In KS2 history, as well as local history, your child will learn about British history, European history and world history in a variety of different studies.

Studying local history may involve looking at how an aspect in the local area has changed over a long period of time, or how a significant event or individual affected the locality.

In the study of British history, pupils are taught about the Romans, Anglo Saxons and Vikings; Britain in Tudor times; and either Victorian Britain or Britain since 1930. They will also learn about aspects of the history of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and about the history of Britain in its European and wider world context.

Children will look at history in a variety of ways, for example from political and scientific perspectives, and they will use different sources of information to help them investigate the past. Your child will be introduced to historical vocabulary so that they can describe events, people and developments, too.

Lesson examples

These are the kinds of activities your child might partake in in history class:

• A year 3 class study a timeline that highlights the main events and inventions of Victorian times. They learn about methods of mass industrial production and the significance of rail travel.

• Year 4 pupils explore working conditions in Victorian times. They visit a row of Victorian houses to gather information about the various street traders who once lived there. They also study a survey on living conditions carried out in London during the late Victorian period.

• After listening to a tape on the war with Troy, year 5 pupils consider what makes a hero. Each pupil has to define their idea and suggest two people, past and present, who they feel are heroes.

• A year 6 class carry out a re-enactment of an air raid in the classroom. They black out the windows and an air raid siren is played as they take cover beneath tables. They later discuss what it felt like being cramped under a table not knowing what was going to happen next. A member of the local community visits the class to share his wartime experiences of evacuation.

Help your child at home

• Make your children aware of the history around them. Look at street names, buildings and other features that give clues about the area's history. If there’s a railway track, you know that the Victorians went through the town, for example. Encourage your child to ask questions about what peoples’ lives may have been like in the past in your town.

• Help your child to find out the answers to any questions they ask. Take them to a local history museum, library or historical event.

• Watch history programmes, such as Time Team, which is excellent for encouraging interest.

• Take kids to a re-enactment event. Boys love anything that involves soldiers and guns, so take them to a re-enactment of the war. Any good production will allow the children to handle the weapons under supervision.