Castles KS1

Step back into Norman Britain to discover why castles were built, how they were designed and what life was like for the people who lived and worked in them.

PlanBee Castles KS1 | History Lessons & Planning Resources

What You Get

This pack includes a complete set of ready-to-teach lessons that together form a coherent scheme of work, written and created by experienced primary teachers.

Each of the lessons within the pack contains:

An easy-to-follow lesson plan (including plenary and assessment questions)
An engaging slideshow for the teaching input
A main activity with three-way differentiation to support adaptive teaching
An alternative activity for flexibility and choice
An overview (medium-term plan) showing the scheme contents at a glance
An assessment grid to track learning and progress

Curriculum Coverage

KS1 History Objectives

events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally [for example, the Great Fire of London, the first aeroplane flight or events commemorated through festivals or anniversaries]
the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. Some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods
significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

Download and Files

Instant digital download – access your resources straight after checkout.

PDF resources – lesson plans, teaching slides, worksheets and printable resources are supplied as PDFs, ready to print, display and use.

£14.99

SKU: H12CS900600

Aimed at: Key Stage 1 | Year 1 and Year 2

Title: The Complete Series (6 lessons)

The Complete Series (6 lessons) Lesson 1: The Battle of Hastings Lesson 2: Features of Castles Lesson 3: Roles in Medieval Castles Lesson 4: Norman Britain vs Britain Today Lesson 5: Tower of London Then and Now Lesson 6: Local History Study Knowledge Organiser

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✨ Tailored for every learner

What You Get

This pack includes a complete set of ready-to-teach lessons that together form a coherent scheme of work, written and created by experienced primary teachers.

Each of the lessons within the pack contains:

An easy-to-follow lesson plan (including plenary and assessment questions)
An engaging slideshow for the teaching input
A main activity with three-way differentiation to support adaptive teaching
An alternative activity for flexibility and choice
An overview (medium-term plan) showing the scheme contents at a glance
An assessment grid to track learning and progress

Curriculum Coverage

KS1 History Objectives

events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally [for example, the Great Fire of London, the first aeroplane flight or events commemorated through festivals or anniversaries]
the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. Some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods
significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

Download and Files

Instant digital download – access your resources straight after checkout.

PDF resources – lesson plans, teaching slides, worksheets and printable resources are supplied as PDFs, ready to print, display and use.

Castles KS1

£14.99

Lesson plans

Easy-to-follow teaching guidance, plenaries and assessment questions

Teaching slides

Ready-to-use whole-class teaching presentations

Differentiated activities

Three levels of differentiation to support adaptive teaching

Alternative activities

Extra activity options for greater flexibility

Assessment

Assessment questions and a scheme assessment grid

Planning & reference

Medium-term overview and Knowledge Organiser

✓ Written and created by experienced primary teachers.

Castles KS1 History Lessons

Step back in time to discover the fascinating world of Norman castles with this ready-to-teach Castles KS1 History scheme of work for Years 1 and 2. Across six engaging lessons, children explore why castles were built, how they developed over time and what life was like for the people who lived and worked in them.

Beginning with the Battle of Hastings in 1066, children discover how William the Conqueror came to rule England and why the Normans built castles. They investigate different types of castles, including motte and bailey and stone keep castles, identifying their key features and comparing their advantages and disadvantages. Children also explore jobs in medieval castles, learn about the feudal system and compare everyday life in Norman Britain with their own lives today.

The scheme concludes with an investigation into the changing history of the Tower of London and an opportunity for children to become history detectives by researching a castle in their local area. With complete Castles KS1 lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated activities and printable resources, this scheme develops children's chronological understanding, historical enquiry skills and knowledge of events beyond living memory.

What children will learn

explore the Battle of Hastings and the beginning of Norman rule in England
discover why William the Conqueror built castles
identify and compare the features of motte and bailey and stone keep castles
investigate the different jobs and roles of people living and working in medieval castles
explore the feudal system and compare life in Norman Britain with life today
discover how the Tower of London has changed over time
use historical sources to investigate castles and learn about the past
research a castle in their local area and make comparisons with other Norman castles

What's included?

This complete six-lesson Castles KS1 History scheme of work includes:

Six detailed lesson plans with clear learning objectives and teaching guidance
Ready-to-use teaching slides to introduce key historical events, concepts and vocabulary
Differentiated worksheets and activities to support children with different learning needs
Historical sources and supporting resources, including event cards, images, role cards and research activities
A knowledge organiser covering key facts, vocabulary, chronology and historical enquiry
Assessment opportunities to help you evaluate children's understanding and progress

Everything is prepared and ready to use, saving you valuable planning time while helping you deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned KS1 History lessons.

Lesson sequence

Scheme at a glance

See how learning progresses across the scheme.

Lesson 1: The Battle of Hastings

Travel back to 1066 to explore the Battle of Hastings, discover how Norman rule began in England and investigate the Bayeux Tapestry as a historical source.

Lesson 2: Features of Castles

Discover why William the Conqueror built castles and compare the features of motte and bailey and stone keep castles.

Lesson 3: Roles in Medieval Castles

Explore life in a medieval castle, investigate the different jobs people had and discover how the feudal system shaped society.

Lesson 4: Norman Britain vs Britain Today

Investigate what everyday life was like for poorer people in Norman Britain and compare their experiences with life today.

Lesson 5: Tower of London Then and Now

Explore the fascinating history of the Tower of London and discover how its buildings and uses have changed over time.

Lesson 6: Local History Study

Become a history detective by researching a castle in your local area and comparing it with other Norman castles.

Knowledge Organiser

Preview the Complete Scheme

See every lesson objective, lesson overview, assessment question and included resources before you buy.

Download the Overview

Castles KS1 FAQs

Is this Castles scheme suitable for KS1?

Yes. This six-lesson History scheme is designed for children in Years 1 and 2. It introduces children to Norman castles, the Battle of Hastings and life in medieval Britain through age-appropriate historical enquiry, comparisons and practical activities.

What will children learn about castles in KS1?

Children discover why the Normans built castles following the Battle of Hastings in 1066. They explore different types of castles, identify their key features and investigate what life was like for the people who lived and worked in them. They also learn about the Tower of London and research a castle in their local area.

Does this scheme cover different types and features of castles?

Yes. Children investigate motte and bailey castles and stone keep castles, exploring their features and comparing their advantages and disadvantages. They learn about important parts of a castle, including keeps, moats, drawbridges, battlements and portcullises, and consider how castles were designed for defence.

Does this Castles KS1 scheme explore life in medieval castles?

Yes. Children investigate the different jobs and responsibilities of people living and working in medieval castles. They also explore the feudal system, discover what life was like for poorer people in Norman Britain and compare everyday life in medieval times with their

Castles KS1

Step back into Norman Britain to discover why castles were built, how they were designed and what life was like for the people who lived and worked in them.

What You Get

Curriculum Coverage

Download and Files

What You Get

Curriculum Coverage