GCSE / National 5 History Teacher Resources

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Free teacher classroom resources suitable for use in history lessons with secondary school students at Key Stage 4 and GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and at National 4 and 5 in Scotland.

Uprising

This short film for secondary schools looks at the New Cross house fire of 1981, and the protests, unrest and accusations of indifference that followed and defined race relations for a generation.

Subnormal - A British Scandal

This short film for secondary schools examines how black children in the 1960s and 1970s were disproportionately sent to schools for the so-called ‘educationally subnormal’.

Black Power - A British Story of Resistance

This short film for secondary schools looks at the Black Power movement in the 1960s in the UK, surveying both the individuals and the cultural forces that defined the era.

Small Axe

Short educational films exploring the lives of London's West Indian community during the 1960s, 70s and 80s, produced alongside the BBC One collection of films directed by Oscar winner Steve McQueen. These films combine extracts from Steve McQueen's collection of films with archive and bespoke narration, to bring significant moments from recent black British history to life for students.

ClueTubers: Exploring historical locations

In this series of short films YouTubers Vee Kativhu and Adam Beales explore historical sites in the UK, giving an overview of how to approach the exploration and interrogation of significant locations.

Medicine Through Time

A series of short animated films looking at the development of medicine, from the medieval period to modern medicine, as well as some of the significant individuals.

World War One

Video resources for secondary schools, perfect for introducing your class to World War One.

World War Two

Video resources for secondary schools, perfect to use with students studying World War Two.

Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

In this series of short documentary-style films, historian David Olusoga explores new historical evidence of slavery in 1830s Britain.

The Plantagenets

Professor Robert Bartlett tells the extraordinary story of England's most dysfunctional, yet longest ruling, royal dynasty.

The Ascent of Woman

In this series of short films Dr Amanda Foreman uncovers stories of women that have made and changed human history from 10,000 BC to the present day.

100 years of the Womens' Movement

In this series of short films, Gemma Cairney explores one hundred years of direct action taken by women to improve equality in Britain.

Locomotion: Dan Snow's History of Railways

Dan Snow examines the development of the railways from their beginnings as track-ways for coal carts in the early 18th century to the pivotal technology for modern Britain.

Exploring the Past: Post War Britain

In this series of short films, six 15-year-olds trace their family histories and find out what life was like in post-war Britain.

Exploring the Past: The history of protest in the UK

Two teenagers investigate significant examples of protest by ordinary people near where they live that have helped shape the recent history of Britain. In this series of short films they explore the 1819 Peterloo Massacre in Manchester and the Jarrow March of 1936.

Why the Industrial Revolution Happened Here

In this series of short films Professor Jeremy Black explains the unique economic, social and political factors that helped Britain transform itself almost entirely by the 19th century.

Andrew Marr's History of the World

A series of short documentary-style films in which Andrew Marr looks at key moments and people from history.

The Story of China

A series of short films exploring the stories, people and landscapes that have helped create China's distinctive character and genius over four thousand years.

Empire

In this series of short films, Jeremy Paxman travels the world exploring different aspects of the British Empire.

The Genius of Invention

Michael Mosley, Cassie Newland and Mark Miodownik examine the inventions that led to the electrical, the transport and the communication revolutions that shaped the modern world.

The Strange Case of the Law

A series of 12 short films in which barrister Harry Potter looks at the history of English justice, from the early concept of compensation, through to the development of the jury to the founding of the police.

Migration

A series of short films where David Olusoga investigates the lives and experiences of migrants to and from Britain throughout history.

Pompeii: The Mystery of the People Frozen in Time

Margaret Mountford turns detective to tell the story of Pompeii and the legendary volcanic disaster that left its citizens preserved in ashes to this very day.

Arab Israeli Conflict

Noel Thompson looks at the history of the Arab Israeli conflict, examining the key events and personalities on both sides of the conflict and tracing the issues of the country.

Discover the secrets and stories of Apollo 11

Discover just how close the first Moon landing came to complete disaster with this timeline of the Apollo 11 mission, and meet the people whose bravery and quick thinking saved the day.

How did slave owners shape Britain?

Discover who Britain's forgotten slave owners were and how their actions still impact our lives today.

The Great Fire of London: What vision rose from its ashes?

The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed the heart of England's capital city. Christopher Wren led the charge for a new vision of London.

Why should I care about 1066?

The legacy of this brutal conquest - the last time England was successfully invaded – pervades many aspects of our language and culture today.

Queen Victoria: The woman who redefined Britain’s monarchy

Queen Victoria restored the reputation of the British monarchy tarnished by the extravagance of her royal uncles. Learn about her long reign with this timeline of her life.

Would you visit 'Celtic Britain'?

Step back in time and discover what life in Iron Age Britain was really like.

How do you solve the mystery of Tutankhamun's death?

The mystery of an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh’s death has captivated since his tomb was first uncovered in 1922. What’s the truth about how he died?

Guy Fawkes: Why do bonfires still burn 400 years on?

An interactive article looking at why we light Guy Fawkes effigies on bonfires on November 5th. Plus how Gunpowder Treason Day became fireworks night over 400 years.

What did King Henry VIII really want from a wife?

What did the Tudor king Henry VIII want from his six wives? And why would he execute them, like Anne Boleyn, or divorce them, like Catherine of Aragon?

How did Henry VIII use sex and power to secure his legacy?

This interactive guide explores the lives of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell, and looks at how they shaped Tudor England.

How could you survive in Tudor England?

An interactive guide exploring how Tudor king Henry VIII ruled at a time when the average life expectancy was just 35 years old.

The Duke of Wellington: Forging the 'Iron Duke'

Arthur Wellesley was extraordinary: victorious general, Prime Minister and 'Iron’ Duke of Wellington. Trace the story of his incredible life with this timeline.

How do you get to Viking Valhalla?

Viking Valhalla was a hall in Asgard where the god Odin welcomed warriors after they were slain in battle.

People Power

A collection of interactive articles about the people, movements and projects that have improved our lives.

Ten Chapters of the Northern Ireland Troubles - BBC Rewind

Multi-media stories told using primary source material from BBC News archive, including rediscovered archive of everything from the civil rights marches of the 1960s to the ceasefires of the 1990s. Contains some scenes that some people may find upsetting.