Bespoke local history resource packs created by the Schools Library Services
This is our history
In 2022 the Schools Library Services launched ‘This is Our History‘, our local history project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. It covers the following five themes:
- The Matchgirls’ Strike of 1888
- The Blitz and the Bombing of the East End
- East London Bengalis
- Somali East End
- London Docklands
- The Huguenot Silk Weavers (created in memory of Sylvia Cummins with a donation from the Cummins family)
We have created a suitcase of artefacts and an accompanying booklet to support teaching and learning, teacher activities on related global learning, and an extra allocation of up to thirty books on and around the theme on each of these topics for teachers to borrow.
For additional information about the project and resources – contact schoolslibraryservices@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Tracks through Poplar
This project created an educational programme for primary school children in Poplar featuring the Trust’s 150-year-old steam locomotive No 70 ‘Poplar’, one of the oldest operational in the UK.
Global Learning London (GLL) and the Schools Library Services worked with children in the area to co-create an immersive National Curriculum based programme, resulting in Resource Boxes for schools.
The resource boxes include materials relating to historic themes such as commuting the 1870s, East End hop picking “holidays” in Kent, and the development of light railways (the K&ESR was the first and the Docklands Light Railway is the latest).
Pupils studying science and geography will look at sources of energy, changing environmental considerations, and the impact of railway development worldwide; while railway themed stories, poems, music and drawing will help develop English, music and arts skills.
Tracks through Poplar online resource
This resource is designed to explore the importance of our railways, East London history and to celebrate the history and significance of steam engines, through key curriculum areas and Global Citizenship themes.
Each chapter is focussed on a particular theme and contains a mixed media of resources and tools to develop understanding and skills with Key Stage 2 pupils. Most activities are adaptable for other ages, and many involve cross curricular learning. You will find digital materials on the Padlet, linked in each chapter.
Each chapter stands alone, or you can piece together the sections you want to form a longer learning journey for pupils.
