This unit introduces children to castles, exploring what they were, who lived in them, and why they were built. Pupils begin by learning to distinguish between real and imagined castles, using photographs and digital maps to identify key features such as towers, moats and battlements. They explore the range of people who lived and worked in and around castles, from kings and knights to cooks and blacksmiths, developing their understanding of the castle as a small, busy community. Through role play and guided research, children investigate what daily life was like within castle walls, discovering how people lived, worked and defended their homes.
As the unit progresses, pupils learn why castles were so important for defence and power in medieval Britain and how their design reflected these purposes. They then consider what has happened to castles over time, comparing ruined remains with castles that are still in use today, such as Windsor Castle. By the end of the unit, children will understand how castles have changed across history and what they reveal about the people who lived there.
Teachers are encouraged to find out about their nearest castle using a digital map and find out some information about the local area to share with the class.
National Curriculum Attainment Targets:
- Pupils should develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time
- Pupils should know where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods
- Pupils should use a wide vocabulary of everyday historical terms
- Pupils should ask and answer questions, choosing and using parts of stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of events
- Pupils should understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented
- Pupils should be taught about significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
Clare is an experienced primary teacher with extensive experience across the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. She has a strong background in curriculum design and development, contributing to programmes across EYFS, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2, ensuring they are engaging, inclusive, and pedagogically effective.
Before joining Developing Experts, Clare served as a QA Inspector for a childcare agency, rigorously applying the Ofsted inspection framework to evaluate and enhance educational provision. She also brings insight into school governance, supporting strategic decision-making and understanding the operational and pedagogical challenges faced by schools.
Clare is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-informed learning experiences that inspire curiosity and foster academic and personal growth. She maintains a deep knowledge of current educational research, teaching strategies, and best practices to continually enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
Emma is an experienced primary teacher with over twelve years of classroom experience and a strong background in curriculum leadership. She has led history within schools and contributed to curriculum development across academy trusts, supporting the design of coherent, knowledge-rich programmes that enable pupils to build understanding over time.
Emma has a particular passion for writing high-quality curricula that are carefully sequenced, engaging, and rooted in strong subject knowledge. She is committed to creating lessons that are lively, meaningful, and accessible, helping children to grasp complex ideas through clear explanations and purposeful activities that support long-term learning.
Through her curriculum leadership, Emma has supported schools in preparing for successful Ofsted inspections, ensuring that subjects are well structured and effectively implemented. She is dedicated to designing learning experiences that spark curiosity and help pupils make meaningful connections between the past, the present, and the wider world.
Sarah is a former headteacher and charity CEO who founded Developing Experts in October 2015 with the goal to create a fit-for-purpose curriculum for schools. The company has created a science curriculum for children ages 4-16 which is delivered through sequenced lessons mapped against the National Curriculum in biology, chemistry, and physics. Developing Expert's innovative approach to learning has already been road-tested and voted 'best EdTech product in Europe', winning Tech Nation’s Rising Stars earlier in 2019 and a place on Google for Startups Immersion program 2020. In 2022 Developing Experts won the BETT Awards for Best Classroom Resource - Teaching Aid. Sarah is a 'LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leader' 2022. In October 2022 Developing Experts joined Tech Nation's Upscale 8.0 programme.
Sarah is delighted to be working with over 6500 UK schools and clients such as the Royal Horticulture Society, Network Rail, Rolls Royce, BEIS, National Nuclear Labs, Anglian Water and the Ministry of Defence.
Sarah was awarded an MBE for her services to tech and education in 2020.
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