Year 4 – Priestley & McMillan

Margaret McMillan: A Champion for Children

Margaret McMillan wanted every child to have the chance to be healthy, happy and successful. Her own childhood was not easy. When she was young, she became seriously ill with scarlet fever, and for many years she could not hear properly. Despite these challenges, Margaret worked hard at school and grew up determined to help others.

Margaret was born in America, but later moved to Scotland with her family. She loved learning and studied subjects such as how the body works and how people think and learn. These studies helped her understand what children need to grow and flourish.

When Margaret came to Bradford, she saw that many children were living in poverty and did not have enough food, clean clothes or opportunities to play. She believed that children learn best when they are healthy and cared for. Because of her work, children at Green Lane School in Manningham became some of the first in the country to receive a free hot school meal.

Margaret also encouraged schools to provide fresh air, exercise, clean surroundings and plenty of opportunities for play. She understood that imagination and creativity are important parts of learning. Many of the ideas she promoted over 100 years ago are still used in schools today.

The artwork shows a school building and a healthy meal, reminding us of Margaret McMillan’s belief that children need good food, good health and happy experiences in order to thrive. Look carefully at the plate. Can you spot the chain of children decorating it? What do you think it tells us about Margaret’s desire to help every child succeed?

J. B. Priestley: Bradford’s Famous Storyteller

J. B. Priestley was born in Manningham, Bradford, in 1894. His father was a teacher, and from a young age Jack, as he was known, loved reading, learning and exploring his city. He enjoyed visiting theatres, concerts and music halls, where he discovered a lifelong love of stories and performance.

When Jack left school at sixteen, he worked in the wool trade. However, his life changed dramatically when the First World War began. He joined the army and fought in France, where he experienced the hardships of war and lost many friends. These experiences had a deep impact on him and later influenced his writing.

After the war, Priestley became a journalist, playwright and author. He wrote more than 120 books, including novels, essays, plays and even a children’s book called Snoggle. This imaginative story tells of a family who meet a visitor from outer space and was written for readers aged between 9 and 90.

Priestley believed strongly that people should care for one another and work together to build a fairer society. His most famous play, An Inspector Calls, explores these ideas and encourages audiences to think about responsibility, kindness and the consequences of their actions.

Although he became famous across the world, Priestley remained proud of his Yorkshire roots. He loved the countryside of the Yorkshire Dales and often celebrated Yorkshire people and places in his writing. Today, he is remembered as one of Britain’s greatest writers and a powerful voice for fairness, community and hope.

As you look at the artwork, see if you can spot clues about Priestley’s life. Can you find signs of Bradford, books, theatre, writing or Yorkshire? What do these details tell you about the boy from Manningham who became one of Britain’s most famous storytellers?

Alfred the great and the villagers

What is it like to follow God?

What are the deeper meaning of festivals (Judaism Pesach, Christmas)

What does it mean to be a Sikh in Britain today?

Why do Christians call the day Jesus dies ‘Good Friday’?

What king of world did Jesus want?

When Jesus left, what was the impact of Pentecost?