KS2 Teacher Notes

How the pathway is structured

• Lower KS2 (Years 3–4): introductory biographies with strong vocabulary support and clear structure.
• Upper KS2 (Years 5–6): historical enquiry, source work, and change over time.
• Whole KS2 enquiries: flexible, adaptable frameworks for local history projects.

Curriculum links (England)

• KS2 History: significant individuals; local history study; changes beyond 1066.
• PSHE / Citizenship: identity, community, fairness, rights and responsibilities.
• English: non-fiction reading, discussion, biography and diary writing.
• Geography: migration, place, and connections between the UK and the wider world.

Talking about difficult topics

Some KS2 lessons touch on slavery, empire, discrimination and racism. Handled well, these topics help pupils develop empathy and historical understanding. Preview lesson materials before teaching, set clear ground rules for discussion, and use age-appropriate language. Focus on people’s courage, contributions and change over time rather than only on hardship.

Safeguarding and inclusion

• Follow your school’s safeguarding and PSHE policies for sensitive discussions.
• Be aware that some pupils may have personal or family connections to the histories taught (for example, the Windrush generation) — invite sharing, never require it.
• Report and follow up on any language or incidents raised during lessons using your usual behaviour and safeguarding routes.

Adapting for different learners

• Use the Key Vocabulary panel as a pre-teach for EAL and SEND pupils.
• Offer sentence starters for the writing task and model one paragraph together.
• Provide the quiz as multiple-choice for accessibility; use as an oral discussion tool with younger classes.

Assessment ideas

• Short knowledge quiz at the end of each lesson (see each lesson page).
• End-of-unit writing task modelled on the lesson’s suggested task.
• Class discussion using the built-in discussion questions.