How can we celebrate local significant individuals and places? - Reverend Wilbert Awdry, 30 Rodborough Avenue, Stroud

With the launch of the National Blue Plaques scheme, run by Historic England, this activity allows pupils to consider what makes a local, significant individual. Pupils will then use a range of historical sources to find out more about the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the author of Thomas the Tank Engine, and 30 Rodborough Avenue, Stroud, his home from 1965 to 1997.

Downloads

Teaching idea

This resource is designed for use in the Key Stage 1 classroom. The use of local stories and topics is intended to make the past more relevant, real, accessible, and interesting, though Reverend Wilbert Awdry may also be considered a nationally and internationally significant figure, making this resource useful for schools across the country.

Pupils are encouraged to consider what makes a significant individual and compare Reverend Awdry to other significant individuals they may have studied. They then view a range of historical sources, enabling them to develop historical enquiry skills relevant to all topics.

Learning aims and outcomes

Pupils will:

  • Learn about significant events, people, and places in their own locality
  • Changes within living memory
  • Explore the history of people and places in the children's local area
  • Study an aspect of history dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality
  • Gain an understanding of historical concepts such as significance
  • Make connections and draw contrasts with previous learning

Prior knowledge

  • No prior knowledge is required

Also of interest

Reverend Wilbert Awdry