How Far Did the First World War Shake Bury? – KS3 Local History Enquiry (3 Lessons)

This fully resourced three-lesson KS3 History enquiry uses the story of Bury and Bury Football Club to explore the impact of the First World War on a local community. Designed to make national history more meaningful and accessible, the enquiry encourages students to investigate how a major historical event affected ordinary people, local industry and community life.
Built around the overarching enquiry question, “How far did the First World War shake Bury?”, students develop their understanding of change, continuity, cause and consequence through the analysis of historical sources and evidence.
In Lesson 1, students explore what Bury was like before 1914, examining industrial life, working-class communities, education and the growing importance of Bury FC within the town.
In Lesson 2, students investigate the impact of the First World War on Bury, including military service, casualties, changing roles for women and the disruption experienced by Bury FC. Students use a range of local sources to assess how far the war affected different groups within the community.
In Lesson 3, students consider whether the effects of the war were temporary or lasting. They explore short- and long-term consequences for local people, industry and Bury FC before reaching an evidence-based judgement about the war’s legacy in Bury.
Included Skills

Historical source analysis and inference
Evidence-based explanations and judgements
Cause and consequence
Change and continuity
Structured historical writing (PEEL paragraphs)
Local history enquiry

Suitable For

KS3 History
Local history studies
First World War units
Britain before 1914
Specialist and non-specialist teachers

This enquiry helps students connect local and national history while developing a stronger sense of place, identity and community through the rich heritage of Bury and Bury Football Club.