How has Coventry changed over time?

Through a series of five questions, pupils will learn how Coventry has changed from prehistoric times to the present day. Each question has a PowerPoint presentation of information plus a series of supporting enquiries and activity sheets to help pupils discover more about Coventry’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 Coventry 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, and much more.

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

  • How did Coventry Begin - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Analysing Godiva Portrait and Information Activity
  • History Defenders – Celebrating Coventry’s Beginning Activity

Extended Task: What more can you find out about Saint Osburga?

Question 2 - How did early Coventry develop?

  • Tapestry of Secrets Analysis
  • How did Coventry Develop? - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Finding Coventry’s Lost Cathedral Activity
  • History Defenders – Early Coventry Research Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out more about Coventry’s city walls?

Question 3 - What industries played a part in Coventry’s history?

  • Industrial Coventry - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Trade Directory Analysis Activity
  • Industrial Timeline Activity

Extended Task: What can you find out about a famous Coventry business from one of the industries that you have learned about?


Question 4 - What happened in Coventry during World War 2?

  • Coventry World War 2 - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Coventry Cathedral Newspaper Report Activity
  • Blitz Bomb Damage Activity

Extended Task: Can you find out more about the children who were evacuated away from Coventry?

Question 5 - How did Coventry recover after the war?

  • Rebuilding Coventry Information - PowerPoint Presentation
  • Rebuilding Coventry Photo Pack and Activity Guide
  • Rebuilding Coventry Personal Account Analysis Activity

Extended Task: What can you find out about the development of the ring road?

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

Extended learning and useful links