Bring one of Britain’s most famous historical events to life with this engaging and curriculum-linked KS1 assembly.

Journey back to London in 1666 as a young baker’s child witnesses a small spark grow into the Great Fire of London. As the fire spreads through the narrow streets, pupils meet famous historical figures including Samuel Pepys and King Charles II, while discovering how ordinary people worked together to stay safe, help one another and rebuild their city. Through this exciting story, children learn that even a small mistake can have big consequences, and that courage, teamwork and resilience can help communities recover from difficult times.

Designed specifically for Key Stage 1, this ready-to-perform assembly combines engaging storytelling with historical learning, helping children understand one of the most significant events in British history in an age-appropriate and memorable way.

What’s Included
Complete three-act assembly script
35 roles (25 speaking roles and 10 non-speaking roles)
Character descriptions
Costume suggestions
Performance notes
Stage directions
Props list
Staging and technical guidance
Rehearsal guide
Director’s notes
Audience participation opportunities
Final whole-cast tableau

Key Learning Covered
Pupils will explore:
The events of the Great Fire of London
Why the fire spread so quickly
Who Samuel Pepys and King Charles II were
What London was like in 1666
How people responded during the fire
The importance of fire safety
How London was rebuilt after the fire
Teamwork, resilience and helping others
How we learn about history through evidence and historical records

Perfect For
Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2)
The Great Fire of London topics
History topics
Class assemblies
Parent performances
Whole-school curriculum events
Topic launches or end-of-unit celebrations

With 35 roles (25 speaking roles and 10 non-speaking roles), this assembly gives every child the opportunity to take part while building confidence, teamwork and performance skills. Featuring simple staging, minimal props and strong links to the KS1 history curriculum, it’s a memorable and engaging way to bring the story of the Great Fire of London to life while helping children understand how the city changed forever through courage, resilience and learning from the past.