The past and future combined for our boys in Y4 on Tuesday when they enjoyed a fun history workshop with our Head of History, Mr Dennis.
The workshop started with a look back in time as the boys studied several old maps to see how the town of Bedford had changed over the centuries. From its early foundation by the Danish to how industry developed, with wool the main one in the Middle Ages, to how the railways connected the town in the 19th century, the boys observed how Bedford grew and changed over the years by using the old maps, even finding Bedford School (or the Harpur Grammar School as it was known back then).
Armed with their knowledge of how towns grow, Mr Dennis then challenged the boys to create their own towns, a challenge that fired their imaginations and creativity. Beginning with an initial settlement, the boys needed to imagine how it would have changed by the Middle Ages. Then came the really fun part – creating a modern-day town. With careful thought on what a modern society would need, many boys correctly identified schools, hospitals and places of worship as vital for communities. They also immensely enjoyed adding leisure facilities such as swimming pools, waterslides and plenty of football pitches.
The workshop, linked to the boys’ Becoming Bedford topic, proved highly engaging, and the boys worked brilliantly together, showing kindness and collaboration to produce some fantastic and well-thought-out maps.
