Exploring Shiphay

Overview

This 45-minute session is the first in a six-lesson unit centred on local history, designed for Year 2 students. It introduces pupils to the locality of Shiphay, embedding knowledge within the wider context of Torquay and encouraging appreciation of their community's unique attributes. The lesson draws heavily on the History programme of study in the National Curriculum for England (Key Stage 1).

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National Curriculum Alignment

History: Key Stage 1

• Pupils should:
  • "Understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented."
  • "Develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time."
  • "Recognise why people did things, why events happened and what happened as a result."
• Focus on local history is encouraged: "They should study the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements, locally important events or aspects of local history."

Geography (linked skill):

• Use maps, atlases and globes to locate places and identify features.
• Use simple compass directions (N, S, E, W).

Cross-curricular links:

• Literacy: Speaking and Listening (describing and discussing ideas).
• Art: Exploring images and drawing local landmarks.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, pupils will be able to:

1. Locate Shiphay within Torquay using maps and compass directions (Geography).
2. Identify key features and landmarks in Shiphay from images.
3. Use simple historical vocabulary (past, present, then, now) to discuss local history.
4. Express why Shiphay is important to them and their community.

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Resources

• Large printed map of Torquay with Shiphay clearly marked
• Photograph cards of local landmarks and features (e.g., Shiphay Community Centre, parks, schools, shops)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Pupil worksheets: simple local map outline with blank labels
• Compass rose poster
• “Then and Now” picture sets showing Shiphay past and present
• Stickers or small tokens for interactive activities
• Interactive whiteboard or projector (optional)

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Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Details
0-5 mins	Welcome & Starter Discussion	- Ask children, “What do you know about where you live?”

• Introduce the unit: “We’re going to be learning about a special place called Shiphay, right here in Torquay!”
• Explain briefly what history means: “History is about things that happened before we were born.” |
  | 5-15 mins | Exploring Maps | - Show Torquay map. Point out Shiphay.
• Use compass rose to find directions, e.g., “Shiphay is north of the town centre.”
• Pupils locate Shiphay on their worksheet maps and draw a circle around it.
• Discuss what a map shows: places and how they are connected. |
  | 15-25 mins | Landmarks and Local Features | - Share images of Shiphay landmarks, showing “Then and Now” pictures where possible.
• Describe each landmark briefly using simple sentences.
• Ask pupils to match photo cards to places on their worksheet map.
• Group discussion: “What places do you visit or know about?” “Why do these places matter?” |
  | 25-35 mins | Class Discussion: What Makes Shiphay Special? | - Invite children to share what they like about Shiphay, encourage use of historical words (then, now, past).
• Use the whiteboard to create a ‘Shiphay Tree’ — branches labelled ‘People’, ‘Places’, ‘Events’ with children’s ideas recorded.
• Highlight Shiphay’s importance as their community and part of local history. |
  | 35-43 mins | Creative Reflection: Drawing our Favourite Place | - Pupils draw their favourite Shiphay landmark or place on their worksheet.
• Label it with help, using words like “park,” “school,” or “shop.”
• Circulate, encouraging sentences: “I like the park because…” |
  | 43-45 mins | Review & Plenary | - Recap, asking questions: “Where is Shiphay?”, “Name one thing you learned about Shiphay.”
• Collect worksheets for assessment.
• Explain next lesson’s focus briefly (Shiphay long ago).

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide labelled landmark cards for pupils needing extra scaffolding.
• Challenge: Ask able pupils to describe differences between old and new pictures, encouraging use of comparative language.

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Assessment for Learning

• Observe pupils during map activities and discussions for understanding of location and vocabulary.
• Review completed worksheets: correct location and identification of local features.
• Listen for accurate use of historical terms during plenary.
• Note engagement in the ‘Shiphay Tree’ discussion for ideas about local significance.

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Extension Ideas

• Take a short walk around the school or playground to identify local features in real life.
• Collect photographs or draw further landmarks for the classroom display.
• Interview family members or neighbours about their memories of Shiphay for homework.

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This lesson actively fosters curiosity and a sense of place by engaging pupils in visual, verbal, and artistic activities closely aligned with the National Curriculum’s emphasis on local history and chronological understanding, perfectly tailored for Year 2 learners.