KS3 History

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

Icons

A series of short history films celebrating the achievements of some of the greatest icons of the 20th century.

History of Early Civilisations

Through parodies of reality TV shows, this series introduces different aspects of the Maya civilisation and different aspects of life in the Islamic Golden Age, circa AD900.

The Norman Conquest and 1066

Animated series exploring the key events of the battle for the throne in 1066 and how William the Conqueror secured power.

Emmeline Pankhurst and The Suffragettes

In this series of short films, Sally Lindsay takes a rare look at the personal loves, losses and political passions that transformed Emmeline Pankhurst from a working mum from Manchester into a militant activist.

Hunting for History

A series of short films looking at the importance of sources and their use in investigating key historical events.

Vikings

In this series of short films, Neil Oliver looks at how Vikings lived, traveled and traded as well as how they invaded and created settlements.

Victorian Villains

In this series of short films, we explore the stories of 'young Victorian villains' and the strict justice system that decided their fate using trial testimony, census records and dramatic reconstruction to recreate the moment when their lives were changed forever.

The Birth of Empire - The East India Company

Dan Snow travels through India in the footsteps of the company that revolutionised the British lifestyle and laid the foundations of today's global trading systems.

Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

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

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.

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.

ClueTubers: Exploring historical locations

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

Migration

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

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.

Empire

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

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

Three 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, the Jarrow March of 1936 and the Guildford Sit-in of 1968.

Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England

In this series of short films, historian Ian Mortimer transports viewers back to Elizabethan England and reveals, in vivid detail, a living, breathing Tudor world.

David Starkey's Magna Carta

Historian David Starkey looks at the origins of the Great Charter, created in 1215 to check the abuses of King John, and how it nearly died at birth.

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.

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.

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.

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.

People Power

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

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 slave-owners shape Britain?

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

World War One

I Was There: The Great War Interviews

A powerful collection of interviews and stories filmed in the 1960s, told through the eyes of World War One veterans and civilians.

Kate Adie's Women of World War One

A collection of short films looking at how World War One changed society and women's lives.

What made WW1 a truly global war?

David Olusoga explores stories of colonial troops serving in WW1 in these short films for secondary schools.

Jeremy Paxman: The Great War

In this series of short films, Jeremy Paxman describes how the First World War transformed the lives of the British people.

World War One with Dan Snow

Historian Dan Snow introduces some history clips from the BBC archive for use in the classroom.

They Shall Not Grow Old - First World War resources for teaching history

Explore the First World War through a new lens with these KS3 (S1 & S2) history resources from 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary.

World War One

A collection of interactive articles about the events and people of World War One, as well as exploring some lesser-known stories.

World War Two

Children of the Holocaust

A part animated, part real-life interview series telling the stories of people who witnessed the Holocaust first-hand.

World War Two - The most destructive global conflict in human history

A collection of interactive articles covering the major events and people of World War Two, as well as some lesser-known stories from the global conflict.

World War Two with Dan Snow

Dan Snow introduces some of his favourite clips from the BBC archive, perfect for exploring World War Two with your class.

Our Greatest Generation

In this series of short films, six incredible people tell their epic life stories, and of their experiences of the World War Two.