Story of Wales brings history to life in Welsh classrooms

Lessons are set for a major boost as the Welsh Government announces that the BBC and Open Univeristy's Story of Wales television series is to be used to bring the classroom to life across the country.

The Story of Wales collection is providing video content on Welsh history and culture to support the Cwricwlwm Cymreig in Key Stages 2 to 4. The new materials will be available for schools to use via Hwb, the Welsh Government’s virtual learning environment, and Addysg Cymru on iTunes U.

Journalist and presenter of the popular series Huw Edwards will today visit Bassaleg Comprehensive School in Newport to see firsthand how the programme is being used across the curriculum to bring the history of Wales to life.

Huw will see a science class on iron production using the Celtic Iron Production video as the basis for the lesson. In the video clip of Iron Age Celts, the footage gives an insight of how Celts lived using a cycle of growing, preserving and cooking food. It goes on to explain how Celts created, then mixed iron with other metals to produce every day objects, as well as weapons.

The pupils will then research iron production using a combination of Hwb+ and the internet.

Ahead of the visit Huw Edwards said:

“I am deeply passionate about the history and culture of Wales. I’m absolutely delighted that our series, which I’m very proud of, is being used to teach young people about Wales’ fascinating past.

“By making history exciting and engaging I hope the young people in Bassaleg and across Wales will be inspired to get online and learn more about our heritage and how modern Wales was born.”

Minister for Education and Skills Huw Lewis said:

“We’ve worked hard to develop this fantastic digital resource which I’m sure will be a huge benefit to learners across Wales.

“We want all of our young people to learn about Wales’ rich and vibrant history throughout the entire curriculum, and importantly for them to use the great online packages we’ve put in place to access more information and become historians in their own right.”

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