Visitors from the Past

Sir William Petty (and the Great Fire of London)

For Key Stage 1 Children

Sir William is a mathematician and member of the Royal Society who knows folk from the King to Samuel Pepys. He has studied the consequences of the fire, and spent some time considering what ought to be done afterwards, even whether the metropolis should be rebuilt on the same spot! To your children he is a friendly and eccentric fellow, wearing strange clothes, with lots of tales to tell.

If there are two classes studying the fire, perhaps two year 2 or one year 2 and a year 1, then I can do two sessions in one day (morning and afternoon). Having a whole day with one class, however, allows me to do that bit more.

When should Sir William visit?

The session works well whether or not the children already know about the fire. I approach it a little differently according to what stage they are at. If it is the end of their study, we can be a lot more conversational. If the session kicks off their topic, then I can introduce the story as an exciting subject, and give them all a shared experience to refer to in the subsequent work. If I visit in the middle of your topic, then a bit of both applies!

Session Format

Introductions

Myself: I explain who and what I am, as well as why I amm visiting & what I am going to tell them about.
London: Where and what is London? What did it look like before the Fire? We then all look at my huge map to discover London's geography and important places.
Fires: We talk about what people use fires for and how they light them. I demonstrate a flint and steel and a storm lantern.

The Story of the Fire

This is the main component of the session and incorporates several breaks along the way to do practical exercises.

Story: How the fire started and its progress. How people tried to fight it or flee. What troubles occurred during the fire. What the King and other important people did. What my friend Pepys did. What damage was caused.
Practical exercises: How the fire spread (the children become houses). Estimating how fast the fire spread. How to make a workable "bucket chain". All great fun!

After the Fire

I can discuss with the children a whole range of things. Like who got the blame and should people have known there would be a fire? Also the deaths, the problems caused, and what needed doing after the fire.

Written Work

I can begin this work with the class if I am working with one class all day, helping the groups work. If it is a half-day session, then I can set both, one or neither of these tasks for the class to do later - providing good motivation.

The options are:

Posters with instructions about the new London. (A link with Literacy.)

How to rebuild London better than before.
What to do next time if there is a fire.
What not to do next time if there is a fire.

A design for the New London . (Map making - a link with Art and Geography.)

The children work on different little parts of London (wards and parishes) each, which when joined together makes one giant map for a wall display. This involves not just History but art and geography.

Commendations from recent school visits

"Thank you for another super day learning about the Great Fire of London. The children have loved the day and have been involved in all the activities and asked a range of interesting questions - which I am sure will continue tomorrow!" [Chris Kelly, teacher, Burley and Woodhead C of E Primary School]

"A fantastic day had by both children and teachers. The children were engaged with different relevant activities. The activities were easily managed and well led. The children were able to recall many events and were given an excellent insight into the past." [P. Manser, teacher, Birkby Infants and Nursery School]

"We had a brilliant day. History came to life. The children were fascinated and wanted Sir William to stay for the week." [Fiona Martin, teacher, Tickhill Estfeld Primary School]

"What a great day! It was Sir William Petty's first visit to our school but hopefully not the last. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it certainly brought the Great Fire of London to life. Thank you very much." [Emma Birkinshaw, teacher, Plover Primary School]

"Thank you for an amazing day! You certainly brought our topic of the Great Fire of London to life. The children were totally captivated and keen to take part. We have thoroughly enjoyed an action packed day." [Miss Hodgson, teacher, St Anthony's RC Primary School, Beeston]