The Great Fire of London

Step back into London in 1666 to discover how the Great Fire began, why it spread so quickly and how it changed the city forever.

Great Fire of London FAQs

Is this Great Fire of London scheme suitable for KS1?

Yes. This five-lesson History scheme is designed for children in Years 1 and 2. It explores the Great Fire of London as a significant event beyond living memory while developing children's chronological understanding and historical enquiry skills.

What will children learn about the Great Fire of London?

Children discover when and where the Great Fire took place, sequence the events of the fire and investigate why it spread so quickly. They also explore how we know about the fire and consider how it affected London and the people who experienced it.

Does this scheme include Samuel Pepys?

Yes. Children learn about Samuel Pepys and use his diary to explore how eyewitness accounts can help us find out about the past. They also investigate other historical sources, including pictures, artefacts and newspapers.

Does this Great Fire of London KS1 planning include historical enquiry?

Yes. Children use stories and historical sources to ask and answer questions about the Great Fire of London. They investigate evidence, make comparisons between past and present and consider how we know about events that happened hundreds of years ago.

Which KS1 History National Curriculum objective does this scheme cover?

The scheme supports the KS1 History National Curriculum study of events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally. It also develops children's understanding of chronology, historical vocabulary, similarities and differences between periods, and ways of finding out about the past.