Lancashire’s history offers students a unique window into the past, including one of its most infamous episodes: the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612. These trials remain a significant part of the county’s heritage, providing insight into 17th-century society, beliefs and justice.

In addition to the trials, students can explore the story of Meg Shelton, sometimes known as the “Flyde Hag,” whose legend survives in Preston. According to local folklore, she was buried face down, or possibly even head first, after reportedly escaping her grave several times in St Anne’s Churchyard, Woodplumpton. Historian, Dave Pearce notes that these tales, handed down as folk stories, reflect the fears and imaginations of the time.

Students and families can learn more about Meg Shelton by following this BBC link: Legend of shape-shifting witch ‘buried head first’.

By examining both historical records and local legends, students gain a richer understanding of Lancashire’s past and the stories that have shaped its cultural identity.

Mr Herbert,

Curriculum Leader for History

Next week marks the start of Black History Month, an annual opportunity to recognise and learn about the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in Britain. Established in the UK in 1987, the month provides schools and communities with the chance to explore important themes in history, culture and society.

A number of events will be taking place in Lancashire to mark the occasion. Details are listed below, with sources for further information:

• Celebrating Excellence – Black Artisans Exhibition. An exhibition curated by Creative Lancashire, showcasing the work of Black artisans across a range of craft disciplines. Creative Lancashire — www.creativelancashire.org
• Regional Listings of Events. The official Black History Month UK site provides information about performances, talks and creative events taking place across Lancashire and the wider North West during October. Black History Month UK — www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk
• Preston Black History Group Programme. Preston Black History Group will be running community events, educational talks and exhibitions connected with Black History Month. Preston Black History Group — www.prestonblackhistorygroup.org.uk

Mr Herbert,

Curriculum Leader for History

Since the school first opened its doors in 1954, a wealth of documents, photographs and memorabilia has been gathered. However, much of this valuable material remains uncatalogued and in need of proper organisation. Archive Club has been established to address this and to ensure that the history of our school is preserved with the care it deserves.

The club offers students of all year groups the opportunity to play an active role in conserving the school’s heritage. Members will learn how to catalogue and handle archival material, contribute to the safeguarding of fragile records and help make the collection accessible for future generations.

Beyond organisation, Archive Club seeks to celebrate the past. Students will contribute to displays, newsletter features and other projects designed to showcase the remarkable people, events and traditions that have shaped the school over the decades.

We would also welcome contributions from former pupils. Documents, photographs and items such as old uniforms can offer invaluable insights into the life of the school and we would be delighted to receive any items that alumni may be willing to share.

Archive Club meets every Tuesday lunchtime in the library. All students are warmly invited to come along, gain new skills and take part in preserving and celebrating the story of our school.

Mr Herbert, Curriculum Leader for History

This year’s History Model Competition has been one of the most impressive yet, with students showcasing exceptional creativity, craftsmanship, and historical knowledge through a stunning array of entries.

Among the highlights were a detailed model of the Colosseum of Rome, a carefully crafted Viking treasure hoard, a realistic WW1 trench diorama, and a beautifully stitched replica section of the Bayeux Tapestry. Each entry demonstrated a deep engagement with the past and a real flair for bringing history to life.

The overall winner was a truly outstanding Warwick Castle tapestry, which demonstrated  remarkable artistic skill. Congratulations to all who entered; your hard work and enthusiasm for history have truly impressed the judging panel and inspired your peers.

Mr Herbert

Curriculum Leader for History

On Tuesday 1st July, Year 10 historians from Penwortham Girls’ High School visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire as part of their studies into 19th century industrialisation. The purpose of the trip was to investigate the environmental, social and moral challenges of the Industrial Revolution and to explore how reformers like Sir Titus Salt attempted to improve public health and living conditions for working people.

The day began at Hoyle Court, where students took part in an engaging and collaborative workshop focused on public health problems in 19th century Britain. Working with primary evidence, students explored the realities of urban life during the Industrial Revolution, identifying key issues such as poor sanitation, overcrowding, and pollution. Their enthusiasm and maturity were evident throughout, as they worked with purpose to piece together the story of Bradford’s industrial past.

The staff at Hoyle Court provided a warm welcome and ensured the event ran smoothly, offering excellent hospitality and creating a supportive learning environment. After an impressive buffet lunch, the group made the short journey to Saltaire to explore Sir Titus Salt’s model town.

While walking through the beautifully preserved streets of Saltaire, students saw firsthand the innovations Salt introduced to improve public health, such as spacious housing, access to clean water, and facilities like schools and a hospital. It was a valuable opportunity to contrast the reality of industrial cities with Salt’s vision for a healthier and more moral society.

The visit was a rewarding and thought provoking experience closely linked to the GCSE specification. Students returned with a deeper understanding of both the problems and the progress of 19th century Britain knowledge that will enrich their GCSE studies and their appreciation of how the past continues to shape our world today.

Mr Herbert, Curriculum Leader for History

Our Year 8 History students have recently begun studying a new topic on the First World War, examining why it was fought, how it developed, and why it had such a lasting impact on the world.

Students have been learning about the significance of 28 June 1914, when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated — an event that triggered the start of the conflict.

To help deepen their understanding of the global conflict, we encourage students to explore the following excellent online resources:

• The Guardian’s Interactive Documentary – A global guide to the First World War, including maps, videos and personal stories from around the world. Access it here
• BBC World War One Centenary Website – A rich collection of short films, articles and features that bring the key events and experiences of the war to life. Visit it here

Students are also encouraged to use A Street Near You — an incredible resource which allows you to find individuals from your local area who served in the First World War. Simply enter your postcode or street name to discover real stories of soldiers from your community. Explore it here.

If you have any family stories or artefacts at home connected to the First World War, we would love to hear them – please let your History teacher know!

Mr Herbert

Associate Assistant Headteacher and Curriculum Leader for History

On the 1st July, the History Department has organised its first visit to Saltaire, near Bradford, to support Year 10 students studying the Eduqas GCSE History course, specifically the Health and Medicine in Britain thematic study.

Saltaire is a model village built in the 1850s by Sir Titus Salt, a wealthy industrialist. It provides an excellent real life case study of 19th century public health improvements, linking directly to the section of the course that covers the challenges of industrialisation and the response to poor living conditions. Rather than reading about public health reforms in abstract terms, students will be able to see first-hand how an industrial employer tackled the problems of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and disease.

The visit has been designed to strengthen students’ understanding of key topics such as:

• The living conditions in industrial towns.
• The impact of reformers and philanthropists in improving public health.
• How attitudes towards public health shifted during the 19th century.

Walking through Saltaire, students will examine the workers’ housing, the wash-houses, the school, and Salt’s Mill itself. These examples will help them to link specific features of the village to the wider social and legislative changes they are studying, including the 1848 and 1875 Public Health Acts.

We are looking forward to seeing the impact of this trip on students’ confidence and progress as they move through their GCSE course.

Mr Herbert

Associate Assistant Headteacher and Curriculum Leader for History