LOCAL HISTORY & THE CURRICULUM

Across the UK, local history is more than a nice-to-have, it’s a recognised, curriculum-driven way to make learning meaningful. Whether in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, national education frameworks explicitly value the importance of place-based history and personal connection. But while the intent is there, the reality on the ground can be patchy. That’s where Local History Hub comes in.

We’re building a UK-wide, teacher-led network to bring consistency, creativity, and community to the teaching of local history. We understand the statutory expectations in each of the four nations, and we’re here to help schools meet and exceed them, with high-quality, relevant support grounded in the realities of school life.

Statutory, Supported, and Sometimes Overlooked

Each UK nation includes local history in its curriculum:

  • In England, local history is explicitly required at Key Stages 1 and 2, with further opportunities at Key Stage 3 and GCSE through historic site studies.

  • In Wales, the new Curriculum for Wales places a strong emphasis on local identity and the Welsh concept of cynefin—making local history central to Humanities learning.

  • In Scotland, the Curriculum for Excellence encourages local investigations across Social Studies, allowing schools to tailor place-based learning to their communities.

  • In Northern Ireland, local history is embedded within The World Around Us, encouraging pupils to explore their immediate environment and heritage through thematic learning.

Despite these clear references, there is currently no UK-wide framework or shared platform for schools to connect, share practice, or access tailored support. Teachers often work in silos, developing brilliant local projects without a national network to showcase or build on them. This is the gap we’re working to close.

What the Curriculum Says

We’ve mapped where local history appears in each curriculum, including cross-curricular links and recent reforms. Here’s what we’ve found:

  • England: “A local history study” is statutory at Key Stage 2, with requirements to explore local changes over time or links to national events. Local content is also embedded at Key Stage 1.

  • Wales: The 2022 curriculum requires exposure to “the story of their locality and the story of Wales,” placing local history at the heart of Humanities.

  • Scotland: CfE outcomes like “I can use evidence to recreate the story of a place or individual of local historical interest” give teachers flexibility to explore their community's past.

  • Northern Ireland: From Foundation Stage onward, children are expected to explore past and present events in their own lives and environments—laying the foundations for deeper local study.

What’s clear across the board is that local history isn’t optional, it’s encouraged, expected, and often statutory. But delivering it well takes time, support, and access to local expertise.

Why It Matters

Local history helps pupils:

  • Connect learning to the world around them

  • Build a sense of identity, pride, and place

  • Develop curiosity, critical thinking, and empathy

  • Link historical knowledge to geography, literacy, and citizenship

  • Take part in rich, real-world learning experiences

It also helps schools demonstrate curriculum depth, meet inspection criteria, and foster powerful community links. Done well, local history transforms teaching and learning.

How We Help

At Local History Hub, we’re here to make local history easier, more impactful, and more connected—wherever you are in the UK.

We offer:

  • National curriculum guidance mapped across all four nations

  • Project ideas and ready-to-use resources grounded in place

  • Links with archives, museums, and local heritage experts

  • Teacher CPD, training, and networking

  • A platform for showcasing local history work from classrooms across the country

Whether your school is in a city, village, or coastal town, local history is part of your curriculum—and part of your community. We’re here to help you make the most of both.

Ready to get started?
Email: enquiries@localhistoryhub.org.uk
[Or Click Here]

Together, let’s put local history at the heart of your school.