One of the requirements for Key Stage 2 history is for some history that extends beyond 1066. Various suggestions have been made including an examination of change within a social theme. The example given is Crime and Punishment but the opportunities for something interesting are vast. This article focuses on a study of poverty across the ages – a theme that can certainly engage children but also give them an understanding of change over time.

Change over time should not mean a mad rush through everything so that children just see a swathe of developments without the opportunity to explore things in depth. In fact, the note for co-ordinators below gives some characteristics that might illustrate a topic such as poverty through the ages...