How has Huddersfield changed over time?

Through a series of five questions, pupils will learn how Huddersfield has changed from prehistoric times to the present day.

Each question has a PowerPoint presentation of information, a series of supporting enquiries, and activity sheets to help pupils discover more about Huddersfield’s history and embed their learning.

Our Local History series is proudly produced in partnership with Teacher’s Pet.

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Teaching ideas

By investigating the town's development chronologically, pupils will be able to look for similarities, differences, and changes over time throughout the whole history of the town. They will gain an understanding of how the town they live in today has been shaped and continues to be shaped, by the place itself and the people who have lived in it.

Each of the following questions is designed to enable pupils to use enquiry techniques to discover for themselves how their local history relates to the national history of Britain.

The Huddersfield Local History Teaching Overview describes the specific learning outcomes for each of the activities listed below. You can also download our ‘Essentials’ for extra resources that can be used with all five questions, such as a word mat, glossary, teacher cheat sheet and much more.

Question 1 - Who were the first people to live in Huddersfield?

  • Early Settlers in Huddersfield - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Timeline of Early Settlement Activity
  • Huddersfield Archaeological Dig Entry Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out more information about what the Iron Age settlement was like?

Question 2 – What impact did invaders have on Huddersfield?

  • Huddersfield Invaders - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Roman Fort Huddersfield Fact File Activity
  • Hunting Lodge Discoveries Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out more information about the hunting lodge on Castle Hill?

Question 3 – How did the Ramsden family contribute to the development of Huddersfield?

  • The Ramsdens - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Ramsden Family Tree Activity
  • Ramsdens on the map Activity

Extended Task: Can you learn more about one of the members of the Ramsden family?

Question 4 – What was Huddersfield like during the Industrial Revolution?

  • The Industrial Revolution - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Trade Directory Analysis Activity
  • Newspaper Analysis Activity

Extended Task: What can you find out about working in a wool mill?

Question 5 – What major developments have happened in Huddersfield since the Industrial Revolution?

  • 20th Century Huddersfield - PowerPoint Presentation
  • History Defenders – Blue Plaque Activity
  • Huddersfield Then and Now Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out more about what life was like for people who moved to Huddersfield from around the world?

Learning aims and outcomes

  • To learn about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
  • To make inferences from archaeological evidence
  • To use the terms 'invade' and 'settle'
  • To investigate aspects of local history and how it relates to a national story
  • To develop a sense of pride in where they live
  • To develop skills in chronology using timelines and historical information
  • To create reasoned and evidentially supported judgements
  • Establish clear narratives within and across the periods studied

Prior knowledge

  • No prior knowledge is required, all information is provided.