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Archives Live: The Great Fire of London
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Education session
Archives Live: The Great Fire of London
Discover the story of the Great Fire of London in our free broadcast for Primary Schools. This engaging half-hour episode tells the stories of those who experienced the fire through the documents they left behind.
- Age ranges
- Key stage 1 (Ages 5–7)
- Key stage 2 (Ages 7–11)
- Date
- 5 October 2026
- Location
- Online
About this image
London Bridge cardboard model, 1911. Catalogue reference: COPY 1/357
About this session
Time period
- Early modern (1485–1750)
Theme
- Significant people, places and events
What to expect from the live broadcast
Discover the story of the Great Fire of London with CBBC and CITV broadcaster and primary school teacher Michael Underwood, in our free broadcast for Primary Schools. This engaging half-hour episode tells the stories of those who experienced the fire through the documents they left behind.
In partnership with The London Archives and featuring The London Fire Brigade, we delve into witness statements, building designs and artefacts that uncover the secrets of the fire and what made it such a significant event.
Designed for your classroom or school hall, this broadcast develops skills in evidential understanding and studying a significant event beyond living memory.
Watch the broadcast
If you missed the broadcast or would like to watch it again, it is now available to watch on demand.
Contact us
If you have any problems accessing the broadcast, please get in touch.
Meet the Presenter
Michael Underwood is a broadcaster and primary school teacher. He spent many years presenting children’s television, including programmes for CBBC and CITV, including the popular adventure show Jungle Run. After more than 20 years working in television and radio, Michael moved into education back in 2018, and now teaches at King's College School in Wimbledon. Combining his experience of engaging young audiences on screen with his passion for teaching, Michael is delighted to be working with The National Archives to bring history to life for children.
Connections to the curriculum
An event beyond living memory that is significant nationally.
Find out more
Teaching resource
Great Fire of London: How London changed
Use this lesson to work with original documents which tell the story of the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Archived page
Great Fire of London: Examine the evidence
This curated collection can be used to help students develop their own historical enquiries as well as to prepare and practice source-based exam questions.
london-fire.gov.uk
The London Fire Brigade: The Great Fire of London
The London Fire Brigade also have resources related to the Great Fire, including activity pages to design your own fire insurance mark like those we examine in the broadcast
thelondonarchives.org
The London Archives: Great Fire of London Learning Session
This London Archives session for key stage 1 students looks at what was it like being a Londoner during the Great Fire of London.
Key details
- Location
- Online
- Date
- 5 October 2026
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 30 minutes
- Age ranges
- Key stage 1 (Ages 5–7)
- Key stage 2 (Ages 7–11)
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