History · Year 2 · The Great Fire of London · Autumn Term

Christopher Wren and Rebuilding London

Learning how the city was redesigned with wider streets and stone buildings under the guidance of Sir Christopher Wren.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: History - Events beyond living memory
• KS1: History - Significant individuals in the past

About This Topic

Sir Christopher Wren, a renowned architect, played a key role in rebuilding London after the Great Fire of 1666 destroyed much of the city. Year 2 students explore how Wren's designs introduced wider streets to improve fire safety and access, and stone buildings to replace flammable timber ones. They learn about his most famous creation, St Paul's Cathedral, which stands as a symbol of this transformation. Through timelines and images, children connect Wren's work to the Fire's devastation and the need for change.

This topic fits within the KS1 History curriculum by focusing on significant individuals and events beyond living memory. It builds chronological understanding and shows how one person's ideas can shape a city. Students compare before-and-after maps of London, noting shifts from narrow, crowded streets to open, planned layouts. This develops skills in historical enquiry and interpretation of sources like Wren's original plans.

Active learning suits this topic well. When children construct simple models of old and new London or role-play as planners debating designs, they grasp abstract changes through hands-on creation and discussion. These methods make Wren's legacy concrete and memorable, fostering enthusiasm for history.

Key Questions

1. Who was Christopher Wren and what did he help build after the Great Fire?
2. How did people rebuild London after so many buildings had burned down?
3. Can you name one famous building that Christopher Wren designed?

Learning Objectives

• Identify Christopher Wren as the architect responsible for rebuilding St Paul's Cathedral.
• Compare the street layouts and building materials of London before and after the Great Fire.
• Explain how Wren's designs aimed to prevent future fires.
• Name at least one specific building designed by Christopher Wren.

Before You Start

The Great Fire of London: Causes and Spread

Why: Students need to understand the event itself before learning about the rebuilding efforts.

Materials: Wood vs. Stone

Why: Understanding the properties of different building materials is essential to grasp why stone was chosen for rebuilding.

Key Vocabulary

Architect	A person who designs buildings and is often responsible for supervising their construction.
Great Fire of London	A major fire that swept through the central parts of London from Sunday, 2 September to Thursday, 6 September 1666.
Rebuild	To build something again after it has been damaged or destroyed.
Stone building	A structure constructed primarily from stone, which is more resistant to fire than wood.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Christopher Wren rebuilt London all by himself.

What to Teach Instead

Wren designed plans and oversaw projects, but teams of builders and workers constructed the buildings. Role-play activities help students see collaboration, as they assign roles and contribute ideas together.

Common Misconception

London looked the same after the Fire.

What to Teach Instead

The city changed with wider streets and stone structures to prevent future fires. Model-building lets students physically remake narrow streets into wide ones, revealing differences through comparison.

Common Misconception

Wren only built churches.

What to Teach Instead

He redesigned streets, homes, and public spaces too. Mapping exercises with before-and-after images clarify his broad impact, as groups trace changes on shared maps.

Active Learning Ideas

Model Building: Old vs New London

Provide card, straws, and blocks for pairs to build a narrow, wooden-style street then redesign it wider with stone towers. Discuss fire risks in the first model and safety in the second. Photograph models for a class display.

30 min·Pairs

Stations Rotation: Wren's Designs

Set up stations with images of St Paul's, street maps, and biographies. Small groups rotate, sketching one feature at each like a dome or wide road, then share in plenary. Use sticky notes for questions.

45 min·Small Groups

Role-Play: Rebuilding Committee

Assign roles as Wren, mayor, and builders in small groups. They debate using stone over wood and draw a plan. Perform short skits for the class to vote on best ideas.

35 min·Small Groups

Timeline Walk: Fire to Cathedral

Create a whole-class floor timeline from Fire to Wren's buildings. Individually add drawings or labels of changes, then walk and narrate as a group.

25 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• City planners today, like those working for the Greater London Authority, still consider fire safety and traffic flow when designing new urban areas, drawing on lessons learned from historical events like the Great Fire.
• Modern architects, such as those at Foster + Partners, continue to design iconic structures like the Gherkin building in London, using materials and techniques that reflect centuries of building innovation, much like Wren did with St Paul's Cathedral.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a card. Ask them to draw one difference between London before and after the Great Fire, and write one sentence about Christopher Wren's role in the rebuilding.

Quick Check

Show images of St Paul's Cathedral and a drawing of pre-fire London. Ask students: 'What is different about these pictures?' and 'Who helped make London look like the second picture?'

Discussion Prompt

Ask students: 'Imagine you are a Londoner in 1667. What would you tell Christopher Wren about how you want your new house and street to be built, and why?'

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Christopher Wren?

Sir Christopher Wren was a 17th-century architect and scientist who led London's redesign after the 1666 Great Fire. He created over 50 church designs, including St Paul's Cathedral, and planned safer streets. Teaching with portraits and plans helps Year 2 children picture him as a problem-solver shaping their capital city.

What changes did Wren make to London after the Fire?

Wren proposed wider streets for better firefighting access and stone buildings to resist flames, replacing wooden ones. His vision turned a medieval city into a more modern layout. Use maps and models to show these shifts, helping students understand links between disaster and improvement.

How can active learning help students understand Christopher Wren's role?

Activities like building before-and-after city models or role-playing planning meetings make Wren's ideas tangible for young learners. Children experience design challenges firsthand, debating materials and layouts in groups. This builds empathy for historical figures and retention through movement and creation, turning facts into personal stories.

What famous building did Christopher Wren design?

St Paul's Cathedral is Wren's most iconic design, rebuilt with its famous dome after the Fire destroyed the old church. Students can draw its features or visit images online. Linking it to the unit on the Fire shows continuity, as they sequence events from destruction to grand reopening.