Free learning resources from arts, cultural and heritage organisations.

Teachers' Notes

Resource created by Kirklees Museums and Galleries

The end of the Second World War in 1945 was a moment of huge relief and joy for people across Britain, including those in Kirklees. After six long years of fear, rationing, and uncertainty, VE Day on 8th May 1945 marked a day when people could celebrate the defeat of fascist regimes in Europe and hope for a return to normal life. 

This resource explores how Kirklees changed after 1945, focusing on recovery from the Second World War and the growth of a more diverse and modern society. It traces post-war rebuilding through new housing, education reforms, and changing industries, including the decline of textiles and the rise of new manufacturing and businesses. The story highlights how improved transport, leisure, youth culture, and activism reshaped everyday life, while migration from the Caribbean, South Asia, and later Europe transformed communities, culture, and work. Together, these developments show how Kirklees reflected wider national trends in post-war Britain, including reconstruction, social reform, diversity, and civic engagement.

Curriculum links: KS2 History: “a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066”. KS3 History: “challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day” 

Context: 

The end of the Second World War in 1945 marked a turning point across Britain, including in Kirklees. The country faced major challenges, including rebuilding cities, restoring housing, and supporting a population affected by years of rationing and loss. Nationally, governments invested in welfare, health, and education. The introduction of the NHS in 1948 and the expansion of schools shaped everyday life in Kirklees through new housing estates, schools, and public services. 

Industries across Britain were also changing. Traditional sectors such as textiles faced increasing competition from overseas, while newer industries including engineering, chemicals, and manufacturing expanded. Kirklees reflected these national trends. Some historic mills declined, while businesses such as Fox’s Biscuits and David Brown Tractors grew, providing employment and shaping the local economy. 

Post-war migration connected Kirklees to global stories. Caribbean migrants arrived following the voyage of the Empire Windrush, South Asian families came to work in textiles and transport, and later Eastern European communities settled in the area. Their contributions supported local industries and enriched cultural life, reflecting wider patterns of migration across Britain. 

Leisure, youth culture, and activism in Kirklees echoed national change. From coronation street parties to the first UK Pride event outside London, the borough became a place where social change could be seen clearly, showing how local life both shaped and was shaped by post-war Britain. 

Learning objectives: 

  • Identify key facts about the impact of World War Two on Kirklees after 1945, including housing, industry, and migration 
  • Describe how life in Kirklees changed after the war, focusing on education, work, leisure, and transport 
  • Explain how Kirklees reflected and contributed to wider national trends in post-war Britain 

Discussion and Activity Ideas: 

  • Literacy: Describe what daily life might have been like in Kirklees just after World War Two.
  • Reading: As a class, read We Sang Across the Sea by Benjamin Zephaniah.
  • Disciplinary Skills: Examine photographs from this period and discuss what they reveal about work, housing, and community change.
  • Art: Create a mural or poster celebrating the diversity of post-war Kirklees, including migration, youth culture, and leisure activities.

Heritage is…

  • Citizenship: Communities changed as new families arrived in Kirklees. Why were some people welcoming, while others felt uncertain or worried?
  • EDI: Migrants from the Caribbean and South Asia helped rebuild post-war Britain. What challenges might they have faced when settling and working in Kirklees?
  • Health: The creation of the NHS changed access to healthcare. How did free healthcare improve life for families after the war?

Glossary: 

  • Activism – Taking organised action to create social or political change. 
  • Baby boom - A temporary marked increase in the birth rate, notably the one following the Second World War 
  • Coronation – The ceremony in which a monarch is crowned. 
  • Discrimination – Unfair treatment of people based on race, religion, gender, or background. 
  • Empire Windrush – The ship that brought Caribbean migrants to Britain in 1948. 
  • Immigration – The process of people moving to live permanently in another country. 
  • Leisure – Time when people are not working or at school, used for enjoyment. 
  • Migration – Moving from one place or country to live in another. 
  • Multicultural – Relating to or including people from different cultures. 
  • Polytechnic – A college focused on practical and technical education. 
  • Prefabricated – Buildings made from factory-produced parts assembled on site. 
  • Rationing – Limiting how much food or goods people could buy. 
  • Reform – Changes made to improve laws, systems, or society. 
  • Subculture – A group within society with its own style, values, or interests.