Welcome to RA Resources. I have an extended range of fully resourced, high quality History lessons for KS2, KS3 and GCSE aimed at schools, tutors and home learning. Having taught History abroad and then in Cornwall for 20 years, these lessons reflect my creativity and teaching experience.
Please feel free to email me with any enquiries about the resources on offer. You can keep up to date with my latest published lessons using the Facebook link in my shop.
Welcome to RA Resources. I have an extended range of fully resourced, high quality History lessons for KS2, KS3 and GCSE aimed at schools, tutors and home learning. Having taught History abroad and then in Cornwall for 20 years, these lessons reflect my creativity and teaching experience.
Please feel free to email me with any enquiries about the resources on offer. You can keep up to date with my latest published lessons using the Facebook link in my shop.
LATEST SPEC & EXAM UPDATE. The lesson looks at the causes, events and significance of the 1066 Battles at Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge and the impact of this for Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings.
The 24 slide lesson/resource includes:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: Lesson aims and progress
Slide 3: ‘1066 so far Quiz’ with answers revealed.
Slide 5-6: Starter Activity - What were Godwinson’s main threats and challenges? With answers and information provided.
Slide 7: Link to class clips with additional questions
Slide 8-10: Task 1: Students use the two fact sheets to create their own timeline of the main events of both battles. Printable timeline resources included.
Slide 11-12: Task 2: Battle of Gate Fulford & Stamford Bridge mappying activity with instructions and printable worksheets.
Slide 13 -15: Task 3: Significance of the battles - were the outcomes positive or negative for Harold Godwinson and the Anglo-Saxons? Printable resources included.
Slide 16: Challenge questions
Slide 17-18: EXAM FOCUS - Examples of the ‘One feature’ question with printable resource
Slide 19: EXAM FOCUS - Examples of the 12 and 16 mark extended writing questions.
Slide 20-21: Learning Review - Order the 8 events into the correct chronological order.
Slide 22-23: Lesson fact sheets
Slide 14: More from RA Resources
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations (GCSE History Edexcel).
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
UPDATED FOR NEW 2025/6 SPEC! Students examine the main events of the Battle of Hastings with a focus on William, Duke of Normandy’s Normans and Harold Godwinson’s Anglo-Saxon armies.
All information & printable resources included in this 24 slide lesson:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: Learning aims and progress
Slide 3-4: Starter Task - What can the Bayeux Tapestry tell us about the Battle of Hastings? Answers included.
Slide 5-7: Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge recap crossword with answers and printable resource.
Slide 8: Class clip link with questions and answers.
Slide 9: Background information about the time frame of events
Slide 10: Background information and map showing the battleground and formation.
Slide 11-13: Task 1- Battle Analysis activity with printable resource and examples.
Slide 14: Task 2 - Comparison of the Norman and Saxon armies.
Slide 15: Task 3 - What were the turning points in the battle?
Slide 16: Additional printable question sheet set out for three different levels.
Slide 17-18: EXAM FOCUS - Examples of the ‘One feature’ question with printable resources.
Slide 19: Learning Review 1 - Knowledge pyramid
Slide 20: Learning Review 2 - Reasons for the Norman victory sentence fill.
Slide 21: Learning Review 3 - Specific knowledge gap fill.
Slide 22-23: Lesson fact sheets
Slide 24: More from RA Resources
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations (GCSE History Edexcel).
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
**In this lesson, students will be able to understand the various reasons why there was a ‘witch craze’ in the mid-1600s in England. **
-Students will discuss the meaning of the term ‘witchcraft’ before studying the various factors that led to the witch craze such as the role of Matthew Hopkins, attitudes towards women, the English Civil War, the influence of monarchs and the influence of the Church and religion. Students will then have an opportunity to evaluate the impact these factors had.
The 23-slide lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources. The lesson is mainly aimed at KS3 students between the ages of 11-14 but can easily be adapted for younger or older students.
Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
**In this lesson, students look at the fascinating story of what happened to Oliver Cromwell’s head. **
Students are guided through the key events of Oliver Cromwell’s rule as Lord Protector, his death and the Restoration of King Charles II.
Students will then use a fact sheet to help them complete a number of optional tasks including a timeline, storyboard and role play. My students absolutely love this lesson!
The 19-slide lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources.
Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
**In this lesson, students will be able to explain the causes of the Great Fire of London as well as the many reasons why the fire was able to spread so quickly over such a large distance. **
Students will be able to analyse extracts from the diary of Samuel Pepys as well as study illustrations and paintings of the fire to help them understand the impact the fire had on people’s lives.
Students will then read information about the fire to help them understand what type of methods were used to fight the fire and the role of individuals such as King Charles II in helping to stop the fire.
The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, warm up start activities, printable resources, and learning reviews as well as engaging background information and challenge questions for higher ability students. There is a choice of printable resources to suit different ages and abilities. The lesson is mainly aimed at KS3 students between the ages of 11-14 but can easily be adapted for younger or older students.
Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
**This lesson provides an excellent way to introduce students to the era of the Stuart English/Scottish monarchs between 1603 and 1714. **
Students will learn about the end of the Tudor reign after the death of Elizabeth I and then be given engaging activities to help them complete a timeline of the main Stuart monarchs and seven key events which took place during the reign of the Stuarts.
The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, activities, printable resources, starters and learning reviews. The outcome will be the completion of a timeline which shows the chronological order of the Stuart Monarchs and the main events of the time.
The lesson contains:
1 x Main Power Point (11 slides)
3 x Choice of A4 timeline templates for student to complete using the facts from the main Power Point
Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
**In this lesson, students will be given all the facts they need to help them fully explain the reasons why Philip II’s Spanish Armada was defeated by the English during the reign of Elizabeth I. **
Students will be able to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each side using a range of easy to access historical sources, fact sheets and top trump style activities. The lesson will then provide a guide for students to help them complete a piece of extended writing about the reasons for the Spanish defeat.
This resource contains:
1 x main lesson PowerPoint
1 x A4 set of fact sheets
1 x A4 set of differentiated fact sheets
1 x A4 writing frame
The lesson contains plenty of activities, printable resources, starter and plenary tasks, engaging background information and discussion points for both high and lower ability students.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
**This lesson allows students to learn about the main reasons for the growing tension between England and Spain during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King Philip II and why this led Spain to invade England in 1588. **
-Students will be able to describe the arguments and issues both sides had with each other and then explain in more depth why these arguments finally led to the Spanish sending the Armada to invade England in 1588.
-Students will have the opportunity to evaluate which factor led to the most tension between each country and as an outcome, students will be guided through a piece of historical writing about the causes of the Spanish Armada.
This resource contains:
1 x main lesson PowerPoint
1 x A4 differentiated writing frame
1 x BONUS Francis Drake Research/Homework sheet
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
This lesson specifically looks at tracking the treatement of Jews in Germany between 1933-39. Care has been taken not to go beyond this date as the exam specification states, but one of the documentary clips will touch upon post 1939.
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
2025/6 UPDATED CONTENT & SPEC. This lesson examines Anglo-Saxon religion, economy, law & order and life in towns and villages.
The 21 slide lesson includes:
Slide 1: Title slide
Slide 2: Learning aims and outcomes
Slide 3-4: As you enter discussion about England’s modern day economy with answers included.
Slide 5: Learning Recap - Key Term What’s the Question
Slide 6: Starter Task - Predictive Learning Quiz - to be then assessed at the end of the lesson.
Slide 7: Background information about Anglo-Saxon law & order.
Slide 8: Background information about Anglo-Saxon economy
Slide 9: Background information about Anglo-Saxon towns
Slide 10: Background information about Anglo-Saxon villages
Slide 11: Background information about Anglo-Saxon religion
Slide 12-13: Task 1 - Anglo-Saxon life diagram with printable resources and instructions.
Slide 14-15: Task 2 - Comprehension style questions with optional printable question sheet.
Slide 16-17: EXAM FOCUS - Examples of the ‘One feature’ question with printable resources.
Slide 18-19: Learning Review - Multiple choice quiz with answers
Slide 20: Lesson Fact Sheet
Slide 21: More from RA Resources
This lesson has been updated in line with the amended specification and exam questions ready for the 2025/6 examinations (GCSE History Edexcel).
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
This lesson provides an excellent introduction to the reign of King James I in England following the death of Elizabeth I.
-The lesson helps students explain why James VI of Scotland was chosen as the successor to Elizabeth I.
-Students are then given a range of sources and historical interpretations to form their own opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of King James I.
-Finally, students will use a fact sheet about James I to help them understand the growing tensions in England between the king and his parliament and religion.
The 14-slide lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, activities, printable resources, starters and learning reviews as well as engaging background information about King James I.
Please be kind enough to leave a review of this lesson if you have found it effective. Thank you.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
**In this lesson, students will be able to understand and then explain the various reasons why there was a so called ‘Age of Exploration’ during the Elizabethan period. **
Students will be introduced to what little was known about the world by the end of the Medieval period and then discover why so many people began to explore the globe to expand our knowledge of the world.
The lesson contains a variety of discussion tasks, activities, printable resources, starters and learning reviews. The outcome will be the completion of an extended piece of writing which explains the causes of the ‘Age of Exploration’.
The lesson contains:
1 x Main Power Point (15 slides)
1 x Sorting Task/Fact Sheet which covers the main factors that led to an increase in exploration in the 1500s.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
**The lesson covers the main events of the invasion from the Spanish Armada setting off from Lisbon to the final wreckage of the Spanish ships around the coast of Scotland and Ireland. **
Using the resources and fact sheets, students will be able to track the events on their own tracking map. This knowledge will then allow them to begin explaining the reasons for the Spanish defeat.
This single resource contains:
1 x main lesson PowerPoint
1 x A4 tracking map for students to complete
1 x BONUS Spanish Armada crossword
The lesson contains plenty of activities, printable resources, starter and plenary tasks, engaging background information and discussion points for both high and lower ability students.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
This lesson looks at the influence of religion and the supernatural on people’s explanations for the cause of illness and disease in the later Medieval period.
The lesson includes a recap from previous learning, a focussed starter task, background information about the wider historical context, a set of learning tasks which are differentiated for higher and lower ability, extention task/s, a focus on the exam with a 12 mark question, a review (plenary) and finally a fact sheet which can be used as a replacement for any books.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
This lesson specifically examines the way culture in Nazi Germany was censored by the Nazi authorities.
This lesson includes:
- Clear learning aims/targets
- Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
- Printable worksheets
- Engaging background information
- Challenge tasks
- Exam links
- Learning Review
- Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
This lesson has a particular focus on the treatment of minority groups other than the Jews who will be covered in more depth in lesson 27.
This lesson includes:
Clear learning aims/targets
Provoking starter tasks and discussion activities
Printable worksheets
Engaging background information
Challenge tasks
Exam links
Learning Review
Fact Sheet linked to the GCSE specification
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.
This lesson examines the development in the prison system during the 18th and 19th century and the roles played by Robert Peel, Elizabeth Fry and John Howard.
Worksheet 1: Practice Exam Question and outline
Worksheet 2: The task sheet on A4
Slide 1: Title - To explain the development and reform of prisons between 1700 - 1900
Slide 2-3: Previous lesson recap about punishments from this time
Slide 4: Short clip reminding students of the way prisons were run before 1700.
Slide 5: Source and information sheet for students to recap the problems that faced the previous prison system
Slide 6: A slide to record student ideas
Slide 7: BBC Class Clips about Victorian prisons
Slide 8: Background information about Humanitarianism
Slide 9: Elizabeth Fry
Slide 10 and 11: Image based information about the development of prisons
Slide 12: The role played by Robert Peel with prison reform
Slide 13: Learning Task - students to identify and categorise the reasons why prisons reformed
Slide 14: Follow up qiestions
Slide 15-16: Recap crossword with answers revealed
Slide 17: Lesson Fact sheet
Slide 18: Example practice exam questions
To take into account copyright, all photographic and illustrative images have been attributed where appropriate and/or are all in the public domain. Clipart/vector images are all creativecommons.publicdomain.zero.1.0 which do not have to be attributed. If you have any issues regarding copyright please email me in the first instance.
**In this lesson, students will be able to describe the various features of Queen Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement and explain why and how Elizabeth I attempted to seek a ‘Middle Way’ between the Catholic and Protestant Churches at the start of her reign in 1558. **
Students will learn about the changes introduced by the Religious Settlement and why they were so important at the time.
The lesson contains plenty of activities, printable resources, starter and plenary tasks, engaging background information and discussion points for both high and lower ability students.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
**In this lesson, students will be able to understand and explain the main challenges faced by Elizabeth I as she came to the throne in 1558. **
-Students will take part in a problem solving activity and have to select which solution Elizabeth should take in order to keep her reign of England secure.
-The challenges featured in this lesson include: the economy, Mary, Queen of Scots, marriage, poverty and religion.
-Students play the role of one of Queen Elizabeth’s advisors to try and make sure Elizabeth deals with these problems effectively.
The lesson contains plenty of activities, printable resources, starter and plenary tasks, engaging background information and discussion points for both high and lower ability students.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. Thank you.
This lesson looks at the care received in the early Medieval hospitals as well as that in the home. There is a focus on aspects of similarity and difference.
Every lesson in this topic includes: Clear learning aims and achievements, a recap task, a starter activity, background information, a variety of tasks to pick from to suite your students, extension and challenge tasks, exam questions, a learning review (plenary) and finally a fact sheet which can be used as a stand alone resource for the lesson or as part of revision/student catch up.
All images used in this lesson are in the public domain and are therefore copyright free at the time of publishing. Images which require attribution have been attributed in the notes section of each slide where the image appears. If you feel any errors have been made, please contact me at raschoolresources@gmail.com in the first instance to resolve any issues. My lessons are completed using PowerPoint and designed on widescreen formatting. Thank you.
This resource is for personal use only and for copyright reasons should not be copied/amended for commercial use.