How has Southampton changed over time?

Through a series of five enquiry questions, pupils will learn how Southampton has changed from prehistoric times to the 20th century.

Each question has a PowerPoint presentation of information plus a series of supporting enquiries and activity sheets to help pupils discover more about Southampton’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 development of the city chronologically, pupils will be able to look for similarities, differences, and changes over time throughout the whole history of the city. They will gain an understanding of how the city 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 Southampton 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 the area?

  • Prehistoric Southampton - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Testwood Lakes Bronze Age Activity
  • Iron Age Discovery Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out about any specific digs that took place in Southampton

Question 2 – Which invaders shaped the development of Southampton most?

  • Invaders in Southampton - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Southampton Changes Activity
  • Coins of the Past Activity

Extended Task: Are there any other archaeological finds that can tell you more about this time period?

Question 3 – Why was Southampton so important to the country in the Middle Ages and Tudor Period?

  • Medieval Southampton - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Significant Buildings Activity
  • Southampton Then and Now Activity

Extended Task: Can you research and create a tourism brochure about one of Southampton’s medieval buildings?

Question 4 – Why did Southampton become known as ‘the Gateway to the Empire’?

  • Southampton: The Gateway to the Empire - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Gateway to the Empire Activity
  • Transport in Southampton Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out more about Southampton’s docks?

Question 5 – How did Southampton change during and after the World Wars?

  • 20th century Southampton - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Aerial Evidence Activity
  • Research a War Hero Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out about another local war hero?

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 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

Extended learning and useful links

Also of interest

Local History Packs