Primary school pupils across Salford are stepping back in time to discover how life has changed over the past century.
Young learners across Salford are being provided with a tailored programme of free educational resources created to celebrate the city’s centenary and fill in gaps about its heritage.
It is a tale as old as time: every generation worries that those who follow will lose touch with the past.
To address those concerns and promote dynamic learning about Salford’s rich history and the people who have shaped the city we see today, the local curriculum will be refreshed.
Salford City Council is working with schools, Salford Museums, the School Library Service and Historic England to deliver a unique Salford 100 education offer, created by a primary history specialist for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils to explore Salford’s rich heritage while developing their historical knowledge.
At the heart of the programme is a set of resources that allow pupils to explore how everyday life in Salford has changed over the last 100 years.
Pupils are already immersing themselves in the project through engaging classroom activities inspired by historic themes such as Victorian schooling, where discipline was strict and children learned practical trades alongside lessons, and the dramatic evolution of transport from early vehicles to modern cars and planes.
They are also exploring how local people lived and worked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, from brickworks to small shops and printing presses.
To bring this history to life, Salford Museums has developed loan boxes of artefacts, giving pupils a hands-on connection to the past.
These are supported by specially curated book packs from the Salford School Library Service, helping children deepen their understanding through reading and research.
In partnership with Historic England, the public body best known for listing sites and structures of special architectural, historic or archaeological interest, another set of in-depth resources has been produced.
These will enable pupils to explore old maps, census records and the lives of real people who lived in Salford 100 years ago.
The work is supported by Historic England’s North West local history specialist, Daisy Horsley, who has also delivered a fully funded training day for school history leaders to help them make the most of the programme.
The initiative forms part of Salford’s year-long centenary celebrations, helping children not only learn about the city’s past but also understand the role they play in shaping its future.
The learning has already inspired pupils across the city. At Barton Moss Primary School, Year 6 children have been using the resource books to create information presentations about Salford’s past.
One pupil said: “I enjoyed finding facts from a non-fiction book instead of using the internet.”
Another added: “The books are very interesting. I loved comparing old transport to modern-day transport.”
Gemma Huddart, History Leader at Barton Moss Primary School, said: “The centenary is about celebrating the people, places and stories that have shaped Salford over the last 100 years, and there’s no better place to bring those stories to life than in our schools.
“These resources give children the opportunity to explore the city’s heritage in a hands-on, engaging way, while helping them develop a real sense of pride in where they live. By working with partners including Salford Museums, Historic England and the School Library Service, we’ve created a fantastic free package that will benefit schools for years to come.”
As well as classroom learning, schools have also been encouraged to extend the experience through visits to museums, heritage sites and locations across Salford, helping pupils make connections between local history and the places they see every day.
The resource packs will continue to be shared between schools over the next 12 months, ensuring children across Salford can take part in the city’s once-in-a-generation centenary celebrations while discovering the stories that have shaped their communities.
