History - key stage one

Teacher and pupil

Step into a time capsule and explore the events, people and places that shaped our world. Our curriculum-linked drama workshops transport children to key moments in history, helping them understand the past through imagination, empathy and play.

Led by experienced facilitators, each session combines storytelling, role-play, music,and movement to spark curiosity, deepen understandingand make learning unforgettable. From the Great Fire of London to the lives of Florence Nightingale and Guy Fawkes, these immersive workshops bring history off the page and into the classroom.

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FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
great fire of london
THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON
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THE GUNPOWDER PLOT
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SEASIDE OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY
toys
TOYS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY
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WORLD WAR I
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MAGNA CARTA
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BLACK HISTORY ICONS
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PREHISTORIC BRITAIN

Florence Nightingale

Teacher

A factual account and hands-on recreation of the Crimean War featuring Britain's most famous carer, her methods and her impact on modern-day palliative care.

Step into our time capsule and journey back to 1854, where pupils will discover the story of Florence Nightingale and her lasting legacy. Through interactive drama, children will:

  • Travel back in time to the Crimean War
  • Improvise scenes between injured soldiers and hardworking nurses
  • Meet key historical figures like Florence Nightingale and Queen Victoria
  • Explore how Florence revolutionised healthcare and what she left behind

Learning objectives:

  • To understand the life of a significant person from the past
  • To consider how Florence Nightingale's achievements have impacted on our society

Curriculum links:

  • KS1 History: The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements
  • KS1 PSHE: Health and well-being; understanding care and compassion
  • English & Drama: Developing speaking, listening and role-play skills

Please note, this workshop can be combined with our Mary Seacole workshop to celebrate the Nurses of the Crimean War.

"Our pupils were completely captivated. They came away inspired and full of new knowledge. A fantastic way to bring history to life!"

-Year 2 Teacher, St. Mary's Primary School

To find out how to book, click here.

The great fire of London

Great Fire

A fascinating workshop about London's disastrous fire and its key locations and characters, brought vividly to life through drama and music.

Step into our time capsule and journey back to 1666 to relive one of the most dramatic events in British history. Through interactive drama and song, children will:

  • Meet Samuel Pepys and explore his famous diary
  • Travel back to 1666 in a drama time capsule
  • Improvise the start of the fire on Pudding Lane
  • Join in with the Fire of London rap
  • Discover how the fire changed the city forever

Learning objectives:

  • To act in role as a character
  • To develop confidence when speaking in front of an audience
  • To understand an aspect of British history beyond 1066
  • To recognise differences between now and 1666 and the changes that have been made

Curriculum links:

  • KS1 History: Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally
  • English & Drama: Role-play, storytelling, speaking and listening skills
  • Music: Rhythm, performance, and memory through song

"The children loved every minute and couldn't stop talking about it. They learned so much without even realising it was history through play at its best!"

-Year 2 Teacher, Greenfields Primary

To find out how to book, click here.

The gunpowder plot

Gunpowder plot

An explosive exploration into the murderous plot to overthrow the monarchy and how its failure shaped 5th November as we know it today.

Travel back to 1605 and uncover the secrets behind one of Britain's most infamous conspiracies. Through immersive drama and sound, children will:

  • Meet Guy Fawkes and step into a time capsule to 1605
  • Role-play key events in the Gunpowder Plot
  • Create an atmospheric fireworks soundscape
  • Attend a modern-day fireworks party to explore how we remember the plot today

Learning objectives:

  • To act in role as a character from the past
  • To explore historical cause and consequence
  • To understand why we remember 5th November
  • To compare the past and present through tradition and celebration

Curriculum links:

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the UK
  • English & Drama: Developing empathy, storytelling and performance skills
  • Music & PSHE: Soundscapes, rhythm, and modern traditions

"The children were gripped from the first moment -history, drama and music all in one session! A brilliant way to understand the story behind Bonfire Night."

- KS1 Teacher, Willow Park Primary

To find out how to book, click here.

Seaside of yesterday and today

Seaside

A fun Victorian re-creation of the English seaside, exploring how holidays have changed over time.

Pack your buckets and spades and journey through time to discover what seaside holidays were like in the past! Through music, movement and imaginative play, children will:

  • Travel between the seaside of today and the Victorian era
  • Improvise traditional and modern seaside activities
  • Create a lively seaside soundscape
  • Learn the seaside rap
  • Enjoy classic Victorian entertainment like Punch and Judy and donkey rides

Learning objectives:

  • To recognise similarities and differences between seaside holidays now and in the past
  • To understand how leisure and entertainment have changed over time
  • To develop communication and performance skills through drama and music

Curriculum links:

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the UK
  • English & Drama: Developing empathy, storytelling and performance skills
  • Music & PSHE: Soundscapes, rhythm, and modern traditions

This workshop is suitable for both Foundation and Key Stage 1 pupils.

"Such a fun way to explore history! They especially loved the Punch and Judy show!"

- Early Years Lead, Sandgate Infants

To find out how to book, click here.

Toys of yesterday and today

Toys

A high-energy physical workshop where children become the toys of yesteryear, led by 'olde worlde' shop-owner Mrs Rattle and a glamorous Italian puppeteer.

Step into a magical toy shop and explore how playtime has changed through the ages. This lively and imaginative workshop invites children to:

  • Act out their favourite toys from past and present
  • Create puppets using their own bodies
  • Explore the differences between modern and traditional toys
  • Improvise the daring rescue of a stolen toy from a mysterious forest castle

Learning objectives:

  • To recognise similarities and differences between toys now and in the past
  • To explore how play has changed through time
  • To develop imagination, physical expression, and storytelling through drama

Curriculum links:

  • KS1 History: Changes within living memory; toys from the past
  • Foundation Stage: Understanding the World, both Past and Present
  • English & Drama: Speaking, listening, imagination and physical storytelling
  • PSHE: Social interaction, turn-taking and empathy through role-play

"The characters were so engaging and the activities so imaginative. They loved pretending to be toys from the past- it was a brilliant mix of fun and learning."

-KS1 Teacher, Elmwood Primary

To find out how to book, click here.

World War I

ww1

A powerful and thought-provoking drama workshop exploring life during the First World War and why we remember it today.

Travel back over 100 years to 1914 and step into the lives of those who lived through the Great War. Through immersive drama, children will:

  • Visit a recreated school classroom from 1914
  • Train as young soldiers and experience life in the trenches
  • Play period games and learn wartime songs
  • Understand the meaning behind Remembrance Day, the minute's silence and the poppy tradition

Learning objectives:

  • To recognise and discuss global events beyond living memory
  • To develop empathy for people from the past through role-play
  • To understand why we commemorate 11th November each year

Curriculum links:

  • KS1 History: Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally
  • English & Drama: Role-play, storytelling, and reflective speaking
  • PSHE: Understanding remembrance, empathy and collective memory
  • Music: Learning and performing traditional wartime songs

"A moving, meaningful experience that brought the history of World War I to life for our pupils. They especially connected with the idea of remembrance in a really personal way"

-KS1 Teacher, Oak Hill Primary

To find out how to book, click here.

Magna Carta

magna carta

A lively, interactive journey back 800 years to discover how democracy began and why a group of barons stood up to a king.

Travel to the year 1215 with Bobby the Baron and explore the historic moment when the Magna Carta changed the course of British history. Through engaging role-play and teamwork, children will:

  • Meet Bobby the Baron and journey back to 1215
  • Act out key characters and scenarios from the signing of the Magna Carta
  • Create freeze frames in teams to break down and understand the main events
  • Learn about the public's anger over unfair taxes through the catchy 'Not Fair' song

Learning objectives:

  • To explore a key historical event from beyond living memory
  • To understand the beginnings of democracy and the concept of fairness
  • To work collaboratively through drama and role-play to develop historical understanding

Curriculum links:

  • KS1 History: Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally
  • English & Drama: Role-play, freeze frames, group performance
  • PSHE: Understanding fairness, justice, and working together
  • Music: Participating in group singing with historical themes

"Y2 were fascinated by the story of the Magna Carta and the 'Not Fair' song was stuck in their heads for days!"

-Year 2 Teacher, Riverbank Primary

To find out how to book, click here.

Black History Icons

black history

A compassionate and thought-provoking workshop exploring human rights and the inspiring individuals who helped shape a more equal world.

Jump into a time machine and journey through key moments in Black history as children discover stories of courage, compassion, and change. Through drama, reflection, and teamwork, pupils will:

  • Travel back to 1854 to learn about Mary Seacole's work in Crimean War hospitals
  • Recreate the story of Rosa Parks using group freeze frames
  • Explore the meaning of segregation and how it would have felt to live through it
  • Reflect on Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech during a calm, thoughtful cool-down

Learning objectives:

  • To understand what Black History is and why it is celebrated
  • To recognise significant individuals who have made positive changes to the world
  • To develop empathy and awareness through drama and discussion

Curriculum links:

  • KS1 History: The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements
  • PSHE: Understanding equality, compassion, and fairness
  • English & Drama: Role-play, group work, listening and responding respectfully

"This workshop gave our pupils a gentle but powerful introduction to key Black history figures."

-KS2 Teacher, Maple Grove Primary

To find out how to book, click here.

Prehistoric Britain

pre historic britain

An exciting, hands-on adventure through the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, guided by a real-life archaeologist!

Climb into a time capsule and journey back thousands of years to uncover how early humans lived, worked and thrived in Prehistoric Britain. With drama, discovery, and role-play, children will:

  • Meet an archaeologist and explore how we know about the distant past
  • Travel through the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age
  • Learn key facts about each era and how they compare
  • Discover the different roles and jobs people had
  • Explore what life was like in prehistoric homes and settlements

Learning objectives:

  • To gain a broad understanding of the Stone Age to Iron Age
  • To recognise how life, tools, and jobs changed across prehistoric periods
  • To explore early human societies through interactive learning and drama

Curriculum links:

  • KS1/Lower KS2 History: Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
  • English & Drama: Speaking and listening, role-play, and storytelling
  • Geography & Science: Early human settlements, survival, and environments

"The children were fascinated by the archaeologist character and couldn't believe how people used to live."

-Year 2 Teacher, Bramble Hill Primary

To find out how to book, click here.