Year 6 pupils explore their local area

Pupils at Fairfield Community Primary School in Leicester have been using oral history in the classroom to explore the history of their local area. Teacher, Mr Keene, shares their findings with us in this guest blog post. You can find out more about oral history resources for schools at EMOHA Learning.

The children in Year 6 have undertaken an enquiry in their History lessons based on the beginnings of South Wigston as a settlement. Through studying a wide variety of evidence, including oral recordings, census documents, photographs, and architecture, they have developed a greater curiosity, understanding, and appreciation of the area they live in.

Throughout the course of the enquiry, they have come to understand how the establishment of South Wigston took place during the Industrial Revolution and that understanding this period of time is crucial for comprehending the changes that occurred as the town rapidly grew in size. The children learnt about the significance of Orson Wright in the development of South Wigston and how his philanthropy resulted in his impact being evident across a wider area of the locality.

In addition, they analysed the use of land in the local area before 1883, between 1883 and 1914 before comparing this to the current state of South Wigston, and evaluating what has stayed the same and what has changed since its establishment. Additionally, the enquiry examined how life in South Wigston between 1883 and 1914 was different for different people, especially when considering the differences between different social classes of the residents and the variations between South Wigston and other areas.