Lesson 25 in the scheme for Edexcel 1H10/B4 - Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588. This double lesson explores why the attempts to colonise Virginia was significant. A starter for 10 recaps the learning on society, leading to an explanation of the significance of Virginia for England, ranking the most to least significant. Students then complete a carousel activity examining the reasons why the colonisation of Virginia failed. Students then apply their learning from the past three lessons to the following 16-mark essay question: ‘The main reason that voyages of exploration were undertaken during Elizabeth’s reign was to increase England’s wealth.’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer. (16) You may use the following in your answer: • Spain and the New World • Elizabeth I You must also use information of your own. This can be answered timed, or at home. Finally, students assess how far they think the failures in Virginia were due to Walter Raleigh.

This lesson explores why the Korean War was significant in the short and long term. A bingo plenary allows a recap of the key knowledge of the topic, moving into a video asking students to consider how the government would view the war in contrast to the US public. Students then use the handout to complete the Venn diagram, assessing the impact of the war in terms of human cost, the cold war and weapons build up. A post-it note plenary allows an assessment of what students consider the most signifcant impact of the war.

Booklet for students to review the key content needed for the 2024 Historic Environment on Drake’s circumnavigation. Includes essay practice, recap knowledge and focus on themes of change, impact and success.

Lesson 17 in the scheme for Edexcel 1H10/B4 - Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588. This lesson focuses on how education developed in Elizabethan England. A picture starter introduces the topic, leading to a video introducing the education development at the time. Students then explain how attitudes developed towards education, leading to a task where students assess how different classes and genders were impacted by educational changes. The lesson culminates in an explanation of how education grew, leading to a recap plenary reviewing the educational changes.

Lesson 18 in the scheme for Edexcel 1H10/B4 - Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588. This lesson focuses on the development of leisure in Elizabethan England. A picture starter encourages students to explore different leisure pursuits available, leading to a video which provides an overview of the period. Students then complete a data capture carousel, making notes on the different forms of leisure. Students then use this information to assess the positives and negatives of these different pastimes, leading to application to a ‘describe two features’ 4-mark response. Students then assess how similar Elizabethan leisure is to modern day leisure in a post-it note plenary.

Lesson 3 in the Hardwick Hall 2025 Historic Environment learning sequence. This lesson focuses on Hardwick Hall in detail. The lesson begins with a video introducing Hardwick Hall and the key features, leading to how Hardwick fits the ‘typical features’ of a manor house from L1. Students then recap Bess and how she was able to fund the creation of Hardwick Hall, moving on to assessing how Hardwick Hall was similar/different to typical Elizabethan manor houses. A taboo plenary recaps the key terminology from the lesson.

Lesson 1 in the Hardwick Hall 2025 Historic Environment learning sequence. This lesson focuses on how and why manor houses developed in Elizabethan England. The lesson begins with a starter focusing on features of a typical manor house. Students then use a video to explore why the Great Rebuilding occurred, leading to the creation of a spider diagram on why so many manor houses were built in this period. The lesson then explores the typical features of an Elizabethan manor house, leading to a recap plenary.

This lesson explores how both Eisenhower and Kennedy increased US intervention in Vietnam and their similarities/differences. The lesson begins with exploration of existing knowledge of Eisenhower, using a video to make notes, with the same task utilised for Kennedy. Students then use the handout to create a table showing similarities and differences of their policies, leading to a detailed focus on the Strategic Hamlet Programme. Students then list any successes and failures so far for the US in Vietnam, finally assessing how far they agree that the Strategic Hamlet Programme was ultimately a failure for the US.

This lesson explores how WW2 affected the USA both positively and negatively. The lesson starts with a recap of key terms from the previous lesson (e.g. Cash and Carry), moving into a video introducing the impact of WW2 on US society/economy/politics. Students then use the hand out to create a table showing the positive and negative impacts of WW2, leading to application planning to an 8-mark response on the impact of war on African-Americans and women. Students then debate the overall impact of WW2 on America, leading to an interpretation plenary on the legacy of WW2, linking in knowledge gained from the lesson.

This lesson explores the role of Edward Jenner in the development of causes and cures, focusing on vaccination and the significance, linking to utility. The lesson begins with a picture link, moving on to inoculation and why this was used. A video then introduces the work of Jenner and discovery of vaccination, leading to an explanation of why this was significant. Students then rank reasons for opposition and move to consider the overall significance of the discovery of vaccinations. Finally, students apply knowledge to an 8-mark utility question, leading to a judgement line plenary on the overall importance of vaccination.

The first lesson in the 2026 Historic Environment on the Globe Theatre. The lesson begins with a source exploration of theatre before Elizabeth I’s reign, leading to a video introducing the changes to the theatre at this time. Students then complete a data capture task to investigate how the theatre developed, focusing on the design, playwright, Master of Revels etc. Students then use a diagram of the Globe and their learning to describe two key features of a typical Elizabethan theatre, leading to a think-pair-share review. Finally, students complete a ‘reduction’ plenary, summarising their learning on the development of the theatre.

Lesson 4 in the scheme for Edexcel 1H10/B4 - Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588. This lesson begins by exploring the differences between a Catholic and Protestant church, allowing students to identify areas of disagreement. Students then read through the key areas of the Relgious Settlement and create a table showing the positives and negative impacts of this. Students then link this to a 4-mark ‘describe two features’ question, self or peer-assessing the answer. Moving on, students categorise cards into the overall positive and negative effects of the Religious Settlement, reaching a judgement on the most significant. Students then assess how successful they think Elizabeth’s attempts were at solving the religious divisions in 1559.

Lesson 3 in the scheme for Edexcel 1H10/B4 - Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588. This lesson begins by comparing Catholic and Protestant beliefs, and exploring why there would be conflict. Students then complete a guided reading article, gaining context on the English Reformation and the situation for Elizabeth by 1558. The lesson then moves to explore the three key problems facing Elizabeth, allowing students to explain why each was an issue, and potential solutions that could be found. The lesson culminates in a retrieval plenary, allowing a review of the past three lessons.

Lesson 13 in the scheme for Edexcel 1H10/B4 - Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588. This lesson focuses on the how England and Spain’s relationship deteriorated, linked to the Netherlands. The starter focuses on Elizabeth’s options over Spain sending troops to the Netherlands in 1567, leading students to assess the pros and cons o Elizabeth’s early actions. Students then create a ‘living graph’ showing the extent of influence/control both Spain and England had at key points between 1567-1584. Students then review Elizabeth’s role in the worsening of relations, leading to a judgement line plenary.

L6 in the 2023 Historic Environment series on Sheffield Manor Lodge. This lesson explores why new manor houses emerged in this period; how SML changed before, during and because of Mary and finally how far SML reflects a typical manor house. The lesson begins with students exploring features of a manor house with a diagram of Hardwick Hall. Students then use the hand out to create a spider diagram showing why new manor houses were built and key features. Students then complete a card sort categorising changes made before 1570, changes made because of Mary’s arrival and how Mary herself influenced changes. Students then record their findings in either a table or spider diagram. Students then review how SML reflects both a typical and non-typical manor house. Finally, students explain how far SML reflects a traditional, typical Elizabethan manor house at this time.

L8 in the 2023 Historic Environment series on Sheffield Manor Lodge. This lesson explores the assessment criteria and the different potential question styles, leading to the planning of an exemplar and analysis of model paragraph. The lesson begins with students reviewing the key features/learning in a retrieval quiz. Students then explore how to approach a question focused on MQ of S imprisonment, moving on to adding evidence to a causation question on the development of manor houses in this period. Students then plan an answer to a ‘change’ question based on improved security in Elizabethan England and how manor houses (and SML) display this, exploring the mark scheme and completing the essay plan. A model paragraph is then used to annotate as a plenary exploring strengths and areas for development.

L7 in the 2023 Historic Environment series on Sheffield Manor Lodge. This lesson explores why the functions, features and purposes of SML with a thematic approach utilising the AQA Historic Environment booklet. The lesson begins with students recapping the previous 6 lessons in a ‘giant post-it’ starter, reviewing the learning. Students then complete the A3 data capture using the source booklet extracting evidence on how SML shows: Wealth of the owner, improved security for Elizabeth, how it was designed to host royalty, it’s location and how it developed over time. Students use this information to then explore what SML can tell us about Elizabethan England in this period leading to a judgement on the MAIN purpose of SML at this time. Finally students complete a 3, 2, 1 retrieval plenary.

Knowledge organiser for the 2023 Historic Environment site Sheffield Manor Lodge. For use with revision, giving an over and complimenting the L1-8 on Sheffield Manor Lodge.

L4 in the 2024 Historic Environment series on The Americas and Drake’s circumnavigation, 1577-1580. This lesson explores what was the impact of Drake’s circumnavigation. The lesson begins with a trio retrieval starter, leading to a ‘rapid recap’ of the benefits and dangers for Drake and his crew on the journey. Students then complete a carousel activity exploring the various impacts of the circumnavigation including improvement in Drake’s social status and geographical understanding. Students then work in groups to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the various impacts, leading to a judgement on what they think is the most significant impact of the circumnavigation.

L5 in the 2024 Historic Environment series on The Americas and Drake’s circumnavigation, 1577-1580. This lesson assesses how great an achievement Drake’s circumnavigation was. The lesson begins by using the images to recap the previous lesson - the results of the circumnavigation. Students then explore the benefits and negatives/limitations of the voyage for those stakeholders involved (e.g. Drake, his backers, his crew etc). Students then use this sheet, and the previous lesson to explore ONE of two questions assessing the achievements and successes of the voyages. In groups students plan a question and then feedback, completing the question planning grid. Students then choose one question to answer (linked to AQA updated scheme 2024). The lesson culminates in a judgement line plenary assessing how successful students consider Drake’s voyage to have been.