20 British Heroes for KS1: Free Teaching Resource

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

1806-1859

Built bridges, tunnels, and ships that changed Britain forever

Teaching hook: "Everyone said his ship was too big to float. He built it anyway. What do you do when people say you can't?"

History: significant individuals | Design & Technology: famous engineers

Ada Lovelace

1815-1852

World's first computer programmer

Teaching hook: "She imagined computers could make music and art, not just maths. What can you imagine that doesn't exist yet?"

Computing: pioneers of technology | British Values: creativity and innovation

Florence Nightingale

1820-1910

Made hospitals safe and invented modern nursing

Teaching hook: "Soldiers were dying not from battles, but from dirty hospitals. She made cleaning and care matter. How do small actions make big differences?"

History: significant individuals | PSHE: caring for others

Mary Seacole

1805-1881

Jamaican-British nurse who helped soldiers when no one else would

Teaching hook: "They said she couldn't be a nurse because of her skin colour. She went anyway and saved hundreds of lives. What do you do when someone says no?"

History: diverse British heritage | British Values: mutual respect

William Wilberforce

1759-1833

Spent 26 years fighting to end slavery in Britain

Teaching hook: "He lost the vote 11 times. He kept trying. What do you keep trying even when it's hard?"

History: significant individuals | British Values: rule of law, individual liberty

Winston Churchill

1874-1965

Prime Minister who led Britain through World War II

Teaching hook: "Before he was a hero, he failed at school and lost elections. He kept speaking up. When have you had to be brave even when you felt small?"

History: events beyond living memory | British Values: democracy

King Alfred the Great

849-899

Only British king called 'the Great' - he saved England and created schools

Teaching hook: "He believed everyone should learn to read, even poor children. Why does reading matter?"

History: events beyond living memory | Literacy: importance of reading

Queen Boudica

Died 61 AD

Celtic queen who stood up to the Roman Empire

Teaching hook: "She led an army to protect her people when they were treated unfairly. When is it important to stand up for others?"

History: Romans in Britain | British Values: fairness

Sir David Attenborough

Born 1926

Showed the world why nature matters and needs protecting

Teaching hook: "He's spent 70 years telling stories about animals. What would you spend your whole life caring about?"

Science: living things and habitats | Geography: environmental awareness

Emmeline Pankhurst

1858-1928

Led the fight for women to be allowed to vote

Teaching hook: "Women couldn't vote because people said they couldn't think properly. She proved them wrong. Why is everyone's voice important?"

History: significant individuals | British Values: democracy, equality

Tim Berners-Lee

Born 1955

Invented the World Wide Web and gave it away for free

Teaching hook: "He could have been a billionaire. He gave his invention to everyone instead. When is sharing more important than keeping?"

Computing: digital technology | British Values: generosity

Captain James Cook

1728-1779

Explorer and mapmaker who sailed further than anyone before him

Teaching hook: "He started as a farmer's son and became the greatest explorer. Where would you explore if you could go anywhere?"

Geography: continents and oceans | History: exploration

The Magna Carta Barons

1215

Made the king follow the same rules as everyone else

Teaching hook: "They said even kings can't make unfair rules. Why do rules need to be fair for everyone?"

History: events beyond living memory | British Values: rule of law

Sir Francis Drake

1540-1596

First Englishman to sail around the world

Teaching hook: "His ship was smaller than a classroom, but he sailed it around the entire world. What scary thing would you try if you were brave enough?"

Geography: world maps | History: exploration

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

1836-1917

First woman doctor in Britain

Teaching hook: "Every medical school said no because she was a woman. She found a way anyway. When have rules been unfair to you?"

History: significant individuals | British Values: equality

Sir Isaac Newton

1643-1727

Discovered gravity and changed how we understand the world

Teaching hook: "An apple fell and he asked why. One question changed science forever. What questions do you ask?"

Science: forces and magnets | History: significant individuals

Sir Mo Farah

Born 1983

Olympic gold medallist who came to Britain as a refugee

Teaching hook: "He arrived in Britain speaking no English. He became Britain's greatest runner. What does it mean to belong somewhere?"

PE: athletics | British Values: mutual respect, diversity

Beatrix Potter

1866-1943

Created Peter Rabbit and saved the Lake District

Teaching hook: "Publishers said her bunny stories were silly. She published them herself and sold millions. What would you create if no one could stop you?"

English: fiction writing | Geography: UK landscapes

Alan Turing

1912-1954

Cracked secret codes and helped win World War II

Teaching hook: "He saw patterns no one else could see. His brain worked differently and that saved thousands of lives. How is being different a strength?"

Computing: algorithms | History: World War II

Olaudah Equiano

1745-1797

Wrote about slavery and helped end it in Britain

Teaching hook: "He was enslaved as a child. He learned to read, wrote his story, and changed the law. Why are stories powerful?"

History: diverse British heritage | Literacy: power of writing

20 British Heroes for KS1

Teach British heritage through real heroes

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