2,000 years of Brentford history – resources for teachers
This archaeology-themed animation is part of Brentford Waterside’s community engagement project, commissioned by Orion, funded by Ballymore, and delivered by MOLA. It aims to inspire teachers, children, and the local community to engage with Brentford Waterside’s archaeological heritage.
To enhance the educational value of the animation there are also free editable worksheets, including timelines, based around the archaeological discoveries made at Brentford Waterside. These are available to download from the MOLA website to further support Brentford primary schools’ study of local history.
The animation is a glimpse into the archaeology of Brentford as seen through the eyes of MOLA archaeologists. It introduces the story of Brentford, its development through time (from the Roman period to the modern day), and particularly focuses in on the Roman, Tudor and 19th-century people who lived there. It also highlights Brentford’s geographical location and the importance of the River Brent to help children understand how Brentford became a hub for people, transport, and trade.
Educational Resources to support the teaching of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 History
What have archaeologists discovered in Brentford?
Watch the video clip then use these archaeology-themed borders and templates to record what’s been found during excavations in Brentford.
1) Lined page with archaeological border, an archaeologist speech bubble and narrow line spacing
2) Lined page with archaeological border, an archaeologist speech bubble and wide line spacing
Who lived in Brentford in the past?
Meet some of Brentford’s residents through time including the Romans, the Tudors, and the Georgians!
3) A4 page with 2 historical figures and speech bubbles (19th-century man and Tudor man).
4) A4 page with 2 historical figures and speech bubbles (Tudor woman and Roman woman).
How has Brentford changed over time?
Use these timelines to record how life has changed for the inhabitants of Brentford since Roman times and the maps to explore how Brentford’s landscape has developed too.
5) Horizontal (teachers could print to A3): historical characters spaced along a time line Narrow lines
6) Horizontal (teachers could print to A3): historical characters spaced along a time line Wide lines
7) Horizontal (teachers could print to A3): maps of Brentford through time Narrow lines
8) Horizontal (teachers could print to A3): maps of Brentford through time Wide lines
Links to England’s National Curriculum
Key Stage 1 history
- Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality.
- Pupils should know where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods.
- Pupils should understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past.
Key Stage 2 history
- The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain.
- A local history study.
- Pupils should continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history.
- Pupils should understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.