Early Years & Key Stage One

History Drama Sessions

These history sessions are designed for year one and two students (KS1), are led by one facilitator and are packed with drama activities such as hot seating and tableaux. They have links to many cross-curricular topics such as Famous People, Toys, Seaside Holidays, Buckets and Spades, the Crimean War and the Victorian era.

Victorian Schooldays

Role play for KS1 & KS2. In this session, your classroom will be transformed into a Victorian classroom set in 1899, complete with seating in rows and a range of Victorian school artefacts. The Victorian schoolteacher will assess the standard of the class in various subjects, including handwriting, spelling, object work, drill, tables, arithmetic and history.

  • QCA History Unit 11: What was it like for children living in Victorian Britain?

Victorian Homelife and ToysVictorian Housekeeper - History drama session

Role play drama for KS1. It's a busy day for the new servants in this Victorian household. The resident housekeeper will lead the children from the cold attic bedroom to the steamy laundry, to the busy kitchens and to the charming drawing room, where they have the chance to see some domestic artefacts. Along the way there are lots of household tasks to learn about and try out. After a "hardworking day" the children are rewarded with a chance to play with the Victorian toys and games.

  • QCA History Unit 1: How are toys different from those in the past?
  • QCA History Unit 2: What were homes like a long time ago?

Seaside Journeys

Drama workshop suitable for Reception and KS1. Take an exciting journey back through time in this history drama workshop and visit seaside locations today, in 1970, 1950 and 1910. Whether they're entering a competition at Butlins, fishing for crabs in rock pools or watching the Punch and Judy show the children's imaginations are bound to be captured by all the fun of their seaside experience.

  • QCA History Unit 3: What were seaside holidays like in the past?

Florence Nightingale

Meet the character workshop for KS1. The famous 'Lady with the Lamp' visits your school, bringing an array of artefacts, including her lamp. She will tell the children all about her life, from childhood memories, her time in the Crimean War, her meeting with Mary Seacole and her return to England. During the session the children get the chance to role play many scenes from her life.

  • QCA History Unit 4: Why do we remember Florence Nightingale?

Great Fire of London

Drama workshop for KS1. This exciting workshop for KS1 involves a variety of drama techniques to lead the children through the events of the Great Fire of London. The children recreate scenes of everyday life in Pudding Lane, the fire itself, the frantic escape, camping at Moorfields and making decisions about how to rebuild the city. They will learn about King Charles II, Samuel Pepys and the Lord Mayor of London along the way.

  • QCA History Unit 5: How do we know about the Great Fire of London?

The Magical Toy Museum

Drama workshop for Reception & KS1. Late in the day, when all the visitors have gone home, the children enter the Magical Toy Museum. Using their bodies, voices and imaginations the children will bring all sorts of toys to life. China dolls, threadbare teddy bears, clockwork robots and wooden trains are just a few of the toys, from the past and from today, that they will create.

  • QCA History Unit 1: How are toys different from those in the past?

Drama engages the children

“The children loved the experience and enjoyed travelling back in time. Our SEN children really learned a lot.”

Laura Jeffrey, Hayes Park Primary School, Hayes

“The whole class were fully engaged and gained a great deal of historical knowledge.”

Kerry Lee, Melcombe Primary School, Fulham

“The children were totally enthralled. The ideas will definitely be used in other activities throughout the year.”

Josie Robin, Edward Francis Infant School, Essex