Children at Shoscombe School are bringing history alive this Autumn with the launch of their new ‘Our Local History’ project.

Funded by Heritage Schools, the project includes the support of Michael Gorely, from English Heritage, with staff training, access to resources such as local census returns, aerial photographs and maps.

School Headteacher, Ruth Noall, said: “Our youngest children will go on a local history treasure hunt around Shoscombe, looking for clues about who lived here, what they did for a living and how building use has changed over the past century. They will link this with local history about coal mining and the railway.

“Our Year 3 and 4 children are learning about the impact of the Romans on our local area and the villa that used to exist here in the village!

“Last Friday, the class used the village green to map out the layout of the villa with ropes and pegs, which was so large that once mapped out, the children needed the aid of a drone to fully appreciate the shape and size of the villa.

“Our year 5 and year 6 children are learning about the Georgians, and will be completing heritage trails in both Bath and Bristol this Autumn, so they can compare and contrast the reasons for the Georgian wealth in both cities and the legacy that is left today. This will include a visit to Number 1 Royal Crescent.”

Shoscombe School are linking with the village’s local history group, who have been very helpful in providing photos and maps to enrich the children’s learning. The school will also be joined by past pupils or residents who can remember the village of yester-year.

Ruth concluded: “Our overall aim is to bring local history alive, put names, faces and details on people who lived and worked in our village and local towns. We are committed to providing excellent coverage of the national curriculum, but this project is enabling us to provide a special, place-based curriculum that will help build children’s pride in their local area and support our aspirations for its future.”