These materials are based upon a local history study, supported by the Ian Coulson Bursary, which was developed at Minterne Junior School, Sittingbourne by Eleanor Dawes in 2021-2. They formed the basis of approximately 12 hours’ work with Year 3 pupils inside and outside the classroom. The pupils investigated several aspects of the history of their locality by learning how to ask historical questions, visiting their High Street and examining a variety of historical sources including maps, census returns, a trade directory and an archaeological excavation.

The materials can be adapted for use with younger or older children and the general approach can be used by teachers in other schools to plan and resource a local history study based on their locality.