Kingswood primary school recognised for its commitment to teach students local history

A Kingswood primary school has been named as a Champion Heritage School by Historic England.

One of only eight schools across the country to be awarded the title, Two Mile Hill Primary School has been recognised for its commitment to teach students about local history.

The school has been part of The Heritage Schools Programme run by Historic England for more than five years, which works with schools to help children learn about their local heritage and its significance.

Through teacher training, resources and developing partnerships with local heritage organisations, the programme brings local heritage to the forefront of education and aims to improve children in areas of low social mobility the chance to achieve their dreams through exposure to heritage.

Students from reception to year six learn about the history of their area, from a buried elephants and local coal mining to visiting museums, creating film trailers and curating a school exhibition.

Children have learnt about a huge range of local history

As one of the eight Champion Heritage Schools, Two Mile Hill Primary School will work with Historic England to pilot a new, school-led scheme highlighting the importance of local heritage and how it can be integrated into a range of subjects.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Two Mile Hill Primary School over the next year to shape and deliver this new scheme,” says Michael Gorely, local heritage education manager for Historic England in the South West.

“They are thoroughly deserving of Champion Heritage School status and will serve as an inspiration to other schools looking to incorporate local heritage into their curriculum.”

Teachers and students at the school will receive £1,000 to support them to pilot the scheme, which will include testing new education resources, developing a panel of young heritage ambassadors and sharing best practice in heritage teaching.

The school is one of only eight in the country to be awarded Champion Heritage School status

“We are extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to become a Champion Heritage School in the South West region,” says Vickie Parker, history lead at Two Mile Hill Primary School.

“During the last five years, our children have become really involved in the hands-on opportunities which have enabled them to bring their learning to life. Through encouraging them to engage with the community to find out more about what came before them, we believe that we are helping them to have a sense of belonging in their local area.

“We can’t wait to get started.”

Committed to embedding local heritage into the curriculum, Two Mile Hill Primary School will continue to give young people develop a sense of place and a deep historic knowledge of Kingswood, as well as helping to bring learning about local history to more children in the UK.

All photos: Historic England

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