United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 1 History
Key Stage 1 History Year 1: learning about changes within living memory, significant individuals, and events beyond living memory, aligned with the UK National Curriculum.
01Toys and Play Through Time
Comparing the toys children play with today to toys from the past, and discovering how materials and technology have changed playtime.
Analyzing old toys made from wood, metal, and cloth, and differentiating their construction from modern toys.
Sorting toys into historical categories and constructing a simple timeline to represent their evolution.
Investigating how the introduction of plastic transformed toy production and aesthetic.
Exploring how batteries and electricity have integrated into modern toy design and function.
Discussing individual favourite toys and drawing comparisons with historical examples.
Investigating traditional games played indoors and outdoors, comparing them to modern digital games.
Using historical toys as prompts to create short stories or role-play scenarios about children's lives in the past.
Tracing the changes in dolls and action figures, from simple rag dolls to complex articulated figures.
Exploring the history and enduring appeal of board games and puzzles across different generations.
Discussing how toys were repaired in the past and the concept of making toys last longer today.
02Homes and Daily Life
Investigating how our homes, kitchens, and daily routines have changed since the time of our great-grandparents.
Discovering methods of food preservation, cooking, and laundry before modern electrical appliances.
Comparing historical lighting sources like candles and oil lamps with contemporary electric lighting.
Exploring traditional heating methods such as coal fires and comparing them to modern central heating systems.
Tracing the development of personal hygiene practices and facilities, from outdoor privies to indoor plumbing.
Comparing the typical daily activities and responsibilities of a child today with those of a child from a century ago.
Exploring the evolution of communication and entertainment technology within the home, from early radios to modern tablets.
Investigating the types of food eaten, how it was prepared, and mealtime customs in the past compared to today.
Exploring how clothing styles, materials, and manufacturing have changed over the last century.
Comparing how gardens and outdoor areas around homes were used in the past versus today.
03Travel and Transport
Exploring the history of how we move on land, sea, and air, from horses to high-speed trains.
Investigating the reliance on horses for transport and the implications for journey times and distances.
Learning about the invention and impact of the steam engine on rail transport.
Discovering the first cars and how they began to change personal travel.
Learning about the groundbreaking achievements of the Wright Brothers and the first successful aeroplane flights.
Exploring the evolution of water travel, from simple boats to large steam-powered vessels.
Investigating contemporary modes of transport, including high-speed trains and jet planes, and their global impact.
Tracing the invention and evolution of the bicycle and its impact on personal mobility.
Exploring how roads, bridges, and other infrastructure have developed to support different modes of transport.
Investigating the history of public transport systems like buses and trams and their role in urban life.
04Famous People and Events
Learning about significant individuals who have contributed to national and international achievements.
The story of Florence Nightingale's contributions to nursing and hospital reform during the Crimean War.
Learning about Mary Seacole's independent efforts to provide medical care to soldiers during the Crimean War.
Exploring the historic 1969 mission that saw humans walk on the moon for the first time.
Learning about Christopher Columbus's voyages and their impact on global understanding.
Comparing the journeys and discoveries of two iconic explorers from different historical periods.
Understanding the historical context and events of the Gunpowder Plot and its commemoration.
Learning about the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II and her role in British history.
Learning about Rosa Parks' courageous act and its role in the American Civil Rights Movement.
Understanding the causes, events, and consequences of the Great Fire of London in 1666.
05Our School and Local Area
Investigating the history of our own school building and the people who lived in our community long ago.
Examining old photographs and interviewing community members to trace the architectural and functional changes of the school.
Handling historical school objects like slates and inkwells and discussing past classroom routines.
Exploring the transformation of local high streets and shopping habits over time.
Sequencing significant local events and school milestones on a collaborative class timeline.
Investigating how significant buildings or natural features in the local area have changed or remained the same.
Learning about the roles of different community helpers (e.g., police, doctors, firefighters) in the past and how their jobs have evolved.
Collecting stories and memories from older family members or community residents about life in the local area long ago.
Investigating how people travelled around the local area in the past, from walking to early buses.
Exploring historical and current celebrations, festivals, and traditions unique to the local community.
Using old maps and photographs to observe how the physical landscape of the local area has transformed.
Comparing historical school rules and disciplinary methods with current practices.