Elizabeth II's accession and coronation
I can explain how Elizabeth came to be Queen of England.
Elizabeth II's accession and coronation
I can explain how Elizabeth came to be Queen of England.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In 1951, George VI's health began to fail, and Elizabeth and her family returned to England.
- Elizabeth, helped by Philip, began to support her father and experience what it would be like to rule.
- In 1952, Elizabeth was visiting Kenya, part of the British Empire, when she learnt George VI had died and she was queen.
- The night before coronation Elizabeth made a radio broadcast pledging her devotion to her people.
- Elizabeth requested that her coronation was the first ever to be broadcast on both radio and television.
Keywords
Rule - rule is when someone controls and tells others what to do
Coronation - a coronation is when the king or queen is given a crown at a grand ceremony
Broadcast - a broadcast is a speech given on the radio or television
Accession - the time when someone moves from being an heir to becoming a king or queen is called an accession
Common misconception
Elizabeth was queen whilst King George VI was alive because she took on some responsibilities.
King George VI was still alive and therefore still king. It is only after his death that she became queen.
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Elizabeth II's accession and coronation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Elizabeth II's accession and coronation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the Elizabeth II: what was her life like? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
when someone controls and tells others what to do
when the king or queen is given a crown at a grand ceremony
a speech on the radio or television
when someone moves from being an heir to a king or queen