How has Barrow-in-Furness changed over time?

Through a series of five enquiry questions, pupils will learn how Barrow has changed from prehistoric times to the 20th century.

Each question has a PowerPoint presentation of information plus a series of supporting enquiries and activity sheets to help pupils discover more about Barrow’s history and embed their learning.

Our Local History series is proudly produced in partnership with Teacher’s Pet.

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Teaching ideas

By investigating the town's development chronologically, pupils will be able to identify similarities, differences, and changes over time throughout the town's entire history. They will gain an understanding of how the town they live in today has been shaped, and continues to be shaped, by the place itself and the people who have lived in it.

Each of the following questions is designed to enable pupils to use enquiry techniques to discover for themselves how their local history relates to the national history of Britain.

The Barrow Local History Teaching Overview describes the specific learning outcomes for each of the activities listed below. You can also download our ‘Essentials’ for extra resources that can be used with all five questions, such as a word mat, glossary, teacher cheat sheet, and much more.

Question 1 - Who were the first people to live in the Barrow-in-Furness area?

  • Barrow-in-Furness First Settlers - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Polished Axe Discovery Analysis Activity
  • Holbeck Neolithic Pots Analysis Activity

Extended Task: Could you write your own report about the Stainton Quarry discoveries?

Question 2 – Why was Barrow-in-Furness so important in the Middle Ages?

  • Barrow-in-Furness Middle Ages - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Furness Abbey Influence Activity
  • A Day in the Life – Furness Abbey Monk Activity

Extended Task: Can you produce an information booklet about Furness Abbey?

Question 3 – How did Barrow-in-Furness grow from a small village to an industrial town?

  • Industrial Barrow-in-Furness - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Significant Events Timeline Activity
  • The Development of Barrow-in-Furness Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out more about one of the companies that was important in Barrow’s growth?

Question 4 – What role did Barrow-in-Furness play in the Second World War?

  • Second World War Barrow - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Diary Extract Activity
  • Barrow Bomb Map Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out about a ship or submarine that was built in Barrow during the Second World War?

Question 5 – How can listed buildings help us find out about Barrow-in-Furness?

  • Barrow-in-Furness Listed Buildings - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Researching Listed Buildings Activity
  • Listed Buildings Diamond of Significance Activity

Extended Task: What other listed sites can you discover? Use the Historic England website to help?

Learning aims and outcomes

  • To learn about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
  • To make inferences from archaeological evidence
  • To investigate aspects of local history and how it relates to a national story
  • To develop a sense of pride in where they live
  • To develop skills in chronology using timelines and historical information
  • To create reasoned and evidentially supported judgements
  • Establish clear narratives within and across the periods studied

Prior knowledge

  • No prior knowledge is required, all information is provided

Extended learning and useful links

Also of interest

Local History Packs