SCHOOLS & LOCAL HISTORY HUB
Led by teachers. Built for classrooms. Rooted in community.
Every school has a local history worth exploring. Every child deserves the opportunity to discover it.
Local History Hub is a growing, teacher-led network helping schools connect curriculum learning with the people, places and stories that have shaped their communities.
We believe local history deserves to be embedded in school life, not confined to a single topic, one-off lesson or annual project.
By bringing together teachers, schools, local historians, museums, archives and heritage organisations, we aim to make meaningful local history education more accessible, practical and sustainable.
Whether you're planning a local history study, looking for heritage partnerships or interested in helping establish a Local History Hub, there's a place for your school in our network.
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History starts on your doorstep
Local history gives pupils opportunities to investigate the past through places, buildings, landscapes, documents and stories connected to their own communities.
It can help schools:
Develop historical enquiry. Encourage pupils to ask questions, examine evidence, consider different perspectives and develop informed interpretations.
Connect local and wider histories. Explore how national and global events shaped the experiences of people in their locality.
Strengthen identity and belonging. Help pupils understand the different people and communities that have contributed to the places they know.
Discover overlooked stories. Investigate histories that may receive less attention in traditional classroom resources.
Build community connections. Develop relationships with museums, archives, local historians and heritage organisations.
Local history is not simply about celebrating the past. It is about investigating it critically, recognising its complexities and understanding how it continues to shape the present.
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A network shaped by schools, not imposed on them
Local History Hub is built on a simple principle: teachers understand their pupils, their curriculum and their communities.
We want schools to help shape the local history opportunities that work for them, rather than follow a prescribed programme.
Our network brings together educators and heritage partners to share knowledge, develop ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Local connections
Connect with other schools, historians, museums, archives and heritage organisations in your area.
Curriculum opportunities
Explore how local historical evidence can enrich existing curriculum learning and support meaningful historical enquiry.
Professional development
Access free CPD opportunities and shared expertise to help develop confidence in teaching local history.
Projects and participation
Discover opportunities to take part in Local History Day and other activities that connect pupils with their communities.
A wider network
Become part of a growing UK-wide movement committed to making local history more accessible and sustainable.
Every Hub develops according to its local circumstances, the people involved and the capacity available. Opportunities will therefore vary between areas as the network grows.
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Getting involved is easier than you might think
You don't need to have an established local history project, specialist knowledge or an existing relationship with a heritage organisation to get started.
1. Find your nearest Local History Hub
Discover whether there's already a Hub in your area and explore opportunities to connect with other schools and local partners.
2. Start a conversation
Tell us what interests your school. You might be planning a curriculum study, looking for local expertise or hoping to develop a longer-term approach to local history.
3. Identify a school contact
Having a member of staff who can share information and coordinate involvement can help your school make the most of opportunities as they develop.
4. Explore what's possible
From classroom enquiries and visits to collaborative projects and community events, local history can take many forms. Start with what works for your pupils, curriculum and available time.
5. Share your experiences
Help shape the network by sharing ideas, challenges and examples of local history learning with other educators.
No Hub nearby?
Our network is still growing. If there isn't a Hub in your area, you can contact us for initial guidance, explore opportunities to establish one or discuss more tailored support.
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Local leadership. National connections.
Local History Hubs are designed to bring schools and heritage partners together around the needs and opportunities of their own communities.
Our model encourages collaboration between two complementary roles:
Schools Lead
Usually a teacher or education professional who helps connect local schools, identify curriculum opportunities and ensure activities reflect the needs of educators and pupils.
Community Lead
Often someone with experience in heritage, history, museums, archives or community engagement who helps develop local relationships and opportunities.
Together, these roles can help coordinate projects, share expertise and build partnerships.
Local Hubs are also connected to the wider Local History Hub network, with opportunities to draw on shared experience, professional knowledge and national initiatives as these develop.
Our approach is deliberately flexible. We recognise that schools and communities differ, and that successful partnerships need to grow at a realistic pace.
Resources and opportunities
Local History & the Curriculum
Explore requirements across the four UK nations, research evidence and ways to embed local history in learning.
Free CPD
Discover professional development opportunities to support your confidence and knowledge in local history education.
Local History Day
Find out how your school can help celebrate the people, places and stories that shape local communities.
School & Heritage Consultancy
Explore bespoke support for curriculum development, heritage partnerships and place-based learning.
No Hub nearby? Let's talk
No Local History Hub near you? You can still get involved.
Our network is growing, and we want schools in every part of the UK to have opportunities to connect with their local history.
If there isn't an established Hub in your area, we'd still love to hear from you.
We can offer initial guidance and signposting on a pro bono basis, subject to capacity. For schools, academy trusts and heritage organisations seeking more extensive support, we can also discuss bespoke consultancy packages.
Whether you have a specific project in mind or simply want to explore the possibilities, tell us what you're hoping to achieve.
Local History Should Be Part Of Every School’s Story
The curriculum provides a starting point, but local history deserves to be woven into the fabric of school life, not confined to one-off lessons or occasional projects.
Every place has stories worth exploring, and every child deserves the opportunity to understand the history of the communities around them.
Too often, teachers make this possible despite the pressures on their time and resources. They should not have to do it alone.
Together, we can build the connections, resources and opportunities that help schools take local history further.
Join the growing Local History Hub network and help make local history an accessible, meaningful and lasting part of education.