This History video introduces Key stage 2 pupils to the use of the 1921 Census as a fascinating historical snapshot of life in Britain just over 100 years ago. The video explores how the 1921 Census differed from earlier ones, reflecting a country still recovering from war, a pandemic and political unrest. It explains why this census is the most recent available for study, what it reveals about people’s lives and opinions at the time and how its unusual features, such as postponed dates and new questions, offer clues to life in 1920s Britain.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s History enquiry videos, enabling pupils to discover how historians use census returns to investigate the past and why census records are essential sources for everyday people.

See more of our Year 6 History scheme of work.

• History, Year 6, What can the census tell us about local areas? Lesson 5: What changed in the 1921 Census?
• History, Year 6, What can the census tell us about local areas?
• History, Y5/6 (B), What can the census tell us about local areas? Lesson 5: What changed in the 1921 Census?
• History, Y5/6 (B), What can the census tell us about local areas?