How my school has changed
History · Key Stage 1 · The School
A school has its own history
A school building is not new forever. It was built at some point, by real people. It might have been made bigger since. Parts of it might be much older than other parts. Finding this out is a real history investigation.
Looking for evidence
Look for a date carved or painted somewhere on the building. Ask the school office if there are any old photographs. Ask a teacher who has worked there a long time what has changed. All of this is real historical evidence, about your own school.
Comparing an old photo
Look at an old photograph of your school, next to how it looks today. Have new classrooms been added? Has the playground changed? Are the uniforms different? Every difference you spot is a clue about how the school has changed.
Spotting five changes in one photo
Look closely at an old school photograph, and list what you notice, one at a time. The uniform looks different: no bright colours, and every child dressed the same. There are no computers anywhere in the classroom. The playground has no climbing frame at all. The building has fewer windows than today. The children are standing in very straight, silent rows for the photo. Five real differences, found just by looking closely and comparing, patiently, with today.
Asking your own question
Now ask your own real question about your school's past. "When was our school built?" "Was it always called this name?" Try to find the real answer, from a record, a photograph, or someone who actually knows. Real history starts with a question.