Proud to be from Bradford

Proud to be from Bradford - A whole-school history project celebrating our local heritage.

At our school, we take pride in our city’s rich and diverse history. Through our Proud to be from Bradford unit, pupils from Nursery to Year 6 explore Bradford’s past, its people, and its places, developing a deep sense of identity and community. This project brings the History curriculum to life, focusing on local history, significant people, events, and places that have shaped Bradford. 

Through this local history study, children across the school have the opportunity to develop an understanding of local history, examining how Bradford has changed over time and its connection to national events. Learn about significant individuals (e.g. Titus Salt, Samuel Lister, the Brontës) and their impact. Explore historical places and artefacts through visits, walks, and map work. Understand migration and diversity, linking to broader themes of British history.

Proud to be from Bradford – through the school

Nursery and Reception- Where do we live

  • Children begin to explore their immediate environment and family history, learning about their homes and local community helpers like police, firefighters, and ambulance crews. 

Year 1- What is special about Lidget Green?

  • Pupils learn about the local area, including parks, buildings, and maps, fostering a sense of place. 

Year 2 - What do buildings tell us about Bradford’s heritage?

  • Focus on historical buildings: City Hall, Alhambra, Midland Hotel, and Little Germany.
  • Children compare old and new photographs to see how Bradford has changed.

Year 3 - Why was Bradford a rich city?

  • Pupils discover the wool trade’s role in building Bradford’s wealth.
  • They investigate buildings funded by wool merchants, like Waterstones (formerly the Wool Exchange).  

 

Year 4- How did Bradford flourish in the 19th century?

  • Focus on industrial growth and Titus Salt’s creation of Saltaire, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Children explore the reasons for Saltaire’s development and its impact on workers.

Year 5 - How diverse is Bradford? 

  • Exploration of 20th-century migration and how different communities shaped the city.
  • Pupils consider religion, culture, sport (e.g. Bradford City and Bradford Bulls), and Bradford’s famous buildings such as Jamia Masjid, the 
    city’s first mosque.  


Year 6 - What is the heritage of Haworth?

  • Pupils investigate the Brontë family’s legacy and how Haworth became a centre for literary tourism.
  • They explore local countryside landmarks such as the Brontë Waterfall and the role of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.