World War 2 - 
Mapping Our Site Through History

This activity offers a chance to explore the local history of the Sustainability Centre site, particularly its use as a Naval communications base during WW2. 

Pupils will have a chance to explore the location themselves by navigating their way around site using maps in groups with their school leaders. They will discover how the land at the Centre has changed over the past 100 years and learn to relate this to human impact, resources and settlement on this ex naval site.
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​Pupils will use a compass to set their ordnance survey map and practice 6 grid references and then use a simple map with symbols to undertake the explorer trail. This is a fun and challenging, hands-on set of activities, which are focused on the many ways in which humans use the earth’s resources and change the land.

The history of the site covers the period of WW2. A half day can be spent on this topic with a focus on "make do and mend", the original way of sustainable living. Pupils will handle artifacts and replicas from the WW2 period, learn about secret coded messages and discover the amounts of food you would get in your wartime ration.   

Back at school

Pre or post visit work might include:
  • Map drawing and creative writing projects based on the sites history.
  • Looking at what is thrown away at school that could be re-used into something useful.
  • Creating a garden at school to grow some food.
  • Just as in times of 'Make do and med' in wartime, get creative with reusing and re-purposing everyday items with this useful online resource ​https://www.52climateactions.com/buy-less-make-more/full
Curriculum Links:
  • History KS2 - A local history study.
  • History KS2 - A study of an aspect or theme in British History that extends pupil’s chronological knowledge beyond 1066.
  • Human and Physical Geography KS2 - Human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water.
  • Geographic Skills and Field Work KS2 - Use the eight points of a compass, four and six figure grid references, symbols and key (including Ordnance Survey Maps).