Henry VIII and his Six Wives

Teach Henry VIII KS2 with confidence

Few figures in British history capture children's interest quite like Henry VIII. This engaging Henry VIII KS2 scheme of work takes Year 3 and 4 children beyond the familiar story of the six wives of Henry VIII to explore why Henry made the decisions he did and how his marriages affected England, religion and the Tudor succession.

Across seven lessons, children investigate Henry VIII and his six wives while developing important historical enquiry skills. They use portraits and written accounts as Henry VIII primary sources, make inferences, explore cause and consequence, consider different interpretations and distinguish between evidence that can be established with confidence and claims that remain uncertain.

Children also build their understanding of key historical concepts including monarch, heir, succession, authority, political alliance and regent.

Why teach Henry VIII and his six wives?

Henry VIII's marriages provide a memorable way for children to investigate an important period of British history beyond 1066. Rather than simply learning the names and fates of the wives of Henry VIII, children explore why Henry was so determined to secure a male heir, how politics and personal relationships influenced his marriages, and why his wish to marry Anne Boleyn contributed to the Henry VIII break with Rome and major religious change in England.

Throughout the scheme, children are encouraged to ask historical questions, examine evidence and make supported judgements. They consider what Henry VIII was like as a person and ruler, why the birth of Edward was so significant, and how confidently historians can draw conclusions about events in the past.

What children will learn

By completing this KS2 Henry VIII scheme of work, children will learn to:

• use portraits and written accounts as historical sources and make inferences from evidence;
• explain why Henry VIII wanted to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and why producing a male heir mattered to the Tudor succession;
• explore how Henry's wish to marry Anne Boleyn contributed to the break with Rome and religious change in England;
• investigate why Jane Seymour and the birth of Edward were important to the Tudor dynasty;
• consider how political alliances, personal feelings and questions of evidence shaped Henry's later marriages;
• compare Henry VIII's six marriages and make supported historical judgements about his reign.

Looking for a broader Tudor topic? Our Tudors Topic Bundle extends children's learning through further History lessons on Tudor life, RE exploring Tudor Christianity, and cross-curricular Art, DT, Geography and Music activities.