Long-term overview - Great Fire of London - Year 2

The Year 2 history curriculum delves into the Great Fire of London, a significant event beyond living memory that holds national and global importance. Pupils are expected to gain substantive knowledge about the location of London and the historical fact that a catastrophic fire once ravaged the city. They learn about the challenges faced in controlling the fire and that much of our understanding of the event comes from the diary of Samuel Pepys. Additionally, the curriculum covers the evolution of firefighting equipment over the years, providing a perspective on technological advancements in public safety.

Alongside these facts, the curriculum also focuses on disciplinary knowledge such as chronology, causation, historical enquiry, interpretation, and significance. Students are encouraged to recognise the differences between past and present, placing historical events within a basic timeline. They learn to use terms related to the concept of time and to observe and analyse pictures and objects to gather information about the past. The curriculum guides them to select evidence and formulate questions that enhance their understanding of history. Through this study, pupils begin to evaluate the reliability of sources and the significance of historical events, such as the Great Fire of London, and reflect on the lessons learned that have shaped modern fire safety practices.