How has Bradford changed over time?

Through a series of five enquiry questions, pupils will learn how Bradford has changed from prehistoric times to the 21st century.

Each question has a PowerPoint presentation of information plus a series of supporting enquiries and activity sheets to help pupils discover more about Bradford’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 development of the city chronologically, pupils will be able to look for similarities, differences, and changes over time throughout the whole history of the city. They will gain an understanding of how the city 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 Bradford 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 Bradford area?

  • Bradford’s First Settlers - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Bronze Age Discovery Analysis Activity
  • Roman Coin’s Activity

Extended Task: What other discoveries have been made from this time period

Question 2 – What factors and events shaped the early development of Bradford?

  • Bradford Beginnings - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Bradford Cathedral Significance Activity
  • Finding Medieval Bradford Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out about any more Bradford myths and legends?

Question 3 – How did Bradford become an international centre of the textile industry?

  • Bradford and the Textile Industry - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Worstedopolis Top Trumps Activity
  • Bradford Significant Buildings Activity

Extended Task: Can you create a visitor guide for one of Bradford’ significant buildings?

Question 4 – What was the impact of the World Wars on Bradford?

  • The World Wars - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Research A War Hero Activity
  • How to use the Commonwealth War Graves Website PowerPoint
  • World Wars Map Activity

Extended Task: Can you write a biography of a Bradford war hero?

Question 5 – What role has migration played in Bradford’s history?

  • Migration to Bradford - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Population Graph Activity
  • City of Sanctuary Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out more about a Bradford business that was founded by people who came to the city from elsewhere?

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.

Also of interest

Local History Packs