March Round-Up: Celebrating Local History, Heritage, and Education
March was a fantastic month at Local History Hub, filled with inspiring projects, exciting partnerships, and insightful discussions around the importance of local history in education.
Shakespeare Week: Bringing Heritage to Life
We began the month celebrating Shakespeare Week, a wonderful reminder of how local history and cultural learning go hand-in-hand. Schools across the country brought Shakespeare’s world to life with engaging, cross-curricular activities—not only in classrooms but also in theatres, libraries, and community spaces. We especially loved this insight from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust:
"It takes the fear out of Shakespeare, and it just becomes part of their cultural capital."
This perfectly captures our mission at Local History Hub: making history accessible, meaningful, and rooted in everyday experiences. When children engage with heritage through local stories, they gain more than historical knowledge—they develop curiosity, belonging, and a stronger connection to their communities.
Promoting Representation and Inclusion
Following the recent Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report, we highlighted why local history is crucial for helping students feel seen and valued in their learning. National history can sometimes feel remote, but local stories bring history closer to home. Exploring their community's past helps students build identity, pride, and inclusion, creating a personal connection to history.
Celebrating School Success Stories
This month, we spotlighted Maerdy Primary School in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where students explored their coal mining heritage through creative storytelling projects. We also celebrated an inspiring initiative in Bradford, where young people—particularly those from underrepresented communities—engaged in meaningful oral history and archive projects. These schools are shining examples of how local history education builds community pride and keeps important stories alive.
Expanding Our Network
We've also been busy building new partnerships, holding productive discussions with Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in the North East and Yorkshire & Humber. We're excited to be making significant progress towards establishing new hubs in these regions. Additionally, we've had inspiring conversations with historical organisations about potential collaborations at our Cardiff hub.
Looking ahead to April, we're thrilled about upcoming meetings with partner organisations to explore even more opportunities. Encouraging conversations are underway in Scotland and the South East of England, and we're actively moving forward with plans to launch new hubs in these areas soon.
How We Support Schools
Local History Hub is dedicated to supporting educators in enriching their curriculum with meaningful local heritage experiences. We help schools by providing:
Curriculum-linked resources ready for classroom use
Engaging local history projects and educational site visits
Opportunities to showcase student achievements, such as Local History Day
Professional development, workshops, and training for teachers
Whether you lead history at your school or simply have a passion for place-based learning, we’re here to help.
Let's Keep Making History Together
Local history isn’t just about looking back—it’s about creating a vibrant, connected future. By integrating local heritage into education, we can inspire students, enrich their learning, and strengthen community ties.
At Local History Hub, we’re committed to making history accessible, relevant, and deeply connected to every student’s experience.
Want to get involved or learn more? Contact us at enquiries@localhistoryhub.org.uk.
Together, let’s bring local history to life for every learner!
