Skip to main content

Second World War: Home Front KS2

A Second World War female SOE operative and soldier standing back to back looking forward. The SOE is in civilian dress with a fur coat and head scarf. The soldier is in uniform. Both are holding firearms.

Step in wartime Britain and discover how ordinary people helped to defend the Home Front. 

There's a war on and your pupils are needed. Bring the Second World War to life through this immersive and action-packed workshop. Pupils step into the shoes of wartime civilians and discover how Britain prepared for attack. Through two active training sessions, they will discover the vital roles played by the Air Raid Precautions service and the Home Guard.

Ideal for teachers looking for a memorable visit with clear curriculum value and strong classroom follow-up potential. 

Keep the wartime story going with our free Second World War Learning Resources. Explore activities and teacher notes to prepare your class for their Home Front mission. 

Royal Armouries Museum

Workshop

KS2

90 Minutes

£5 Per Pupil

Curriculum focus

This workshop supports KS2 history through a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066, using the Second World War Home Front as a memorable case study. It also supports local history, historical enquiry, speaking and listening, and follow-up literacy work.

  • History (Second World War): pupils explore the Second World War through the Home Front, ARP wardens, the Home Guard, air raid preparation, civilian defence and wartime responsibility.
  • Historical enquiry: pupils use role play, questioning and practical activity to investigate how civilians prepared for attack and how people contributed to the war effort in different ways.
  • Local history: this workshop supports discussion of how communities across Britain, including local communities, experienced wartime danger, preparation, volunteering and shared responsibility.
  • English: speaking and listening in roleplay and discussion. 
  • English: Literacy. Strong stimulus for follow-up writing in the classroom. 

What to expect

Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Training

Pupils join an ARP warden and are introduced to the vital role they carried out to protect civilians. Take part in practical ARP training and explore how communities prepared for bombing raids. Designed to help pupils understand wartime Britain from a civilian perspective, whilst developing teamwork, listening and decision-making. 

Home Guard Training

Pupils are put through their paces in an interactive, hands-on training session led by a Home Guard volunteer. Discover how volunteers were organised to defend the country in the event of an invasion. This high energy training introduces pupils to the pressures and determination of those serving on the Home Front. 

At the end of the workshop, pupils will decide which wartime role they would have volunteered for. 

Gallery links

Horses with armour and men wearing armour in a museum gallery
The War Gallery

War Gallery

Explore how the history of warfare has changed from the early days of hand-to-hand combat to today’s technology-based warfare, including our new display on the Second World War.

Visit the War Gallery

Book Now

When you email us, please provide the following information:

  • Name and address of school, organisation, or home educated group
  • First, second, and third choice of date
  • Number of pupils and number of adults
  • If you would like to visit the museum shop
  • If you require coach parking
  • Any other additional information you’d like us to know (e.g special education needs) 

Find our Education Bookings Terms and Conditions 

Email: educate.leeds@armouries.org.uk

Phone: 07785 692443

Due to the high volume of enquiries we receive, please only call us if you have already booked a visit and your enquiry is urgent. 

Learning packs and resources

Education Visit Pack 2025-2026 (pdf, 576KB)

Contact our communications team if you require documents in an alternative format.

Share