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Making sense of sources: primary, secondary, and the story of Boudicca
This History scheme of work teacher video supports teachers in helping Year 3 and 4 History pupils make historical deductions using visual and written sources. The lesson centres on developing pupils’ understanding of primary and secondary sources by analysing differing interpretations of the historical figure Boudicca.
The video explains how to guide pupils through evaluating sources, including considering bias, purpose and historical context. It models how to introduce the Victorian statue of Boudicca, encouraging pupils to question its accuracy due to its links to Queen Victoria and Victorian values. Teachers are supported in facilitating rich discussion around how different images and written accounts (such as Cassio Dio’s Roman text) influence how Boudicca is portrayed, from a fierce warrior queen to a symbol of national pride.
Pupils will use inference to record her personality traits and appearances and then create their own interpretation of Boudicca based on their analysis.
Please see more of Kapow Primary’s History – Historical sources resources , designed to develop historical interpretation and source evaluation skills.
