n Year 6LD @RF, Year 6 Discover How the Role of Women Has Changed Through History

This term, Year 6LD @RF, have been delving into an important and eye-opening topic in history: The Changing Role of Women. As part of their learning, the children explored how women’s roles and rights changed across the 16th, 17th, and 19th centuries.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, children learned that women had very few rights. Their main roles were to marry, run the household, and raise children. They couldn’t vote, own property independently if married, or work in most jobs. Education for girls was limited, and women’s voices were rarely heard in public or political life. The children were especially shocked to find out that inheritance was usually passed only to male family members—something that many of the girls (and boys!) thought was very unfair.

By the 19th century, change had started. Some women began fighting for better education, working rights, and the right to vote. Women began to take on more roles in society—working in factories, writing, teaching, and campaigning for change. This was the beginning of the long journey towards equal rights.

The class held thoughtful discussions about how grateful they are to live in a time when women and girls can choose their path—whether that’s pursuing a career, owning property, voting, or studying any subject they like. One student said, “I’m glad girls today can go to school and become anything they want. It’s not fair that they were treated so differently just because they were female.”

This topic has sparked great interest and important conversations in Year 6, and the class is proud to be learning about the people who helped shape a fairer future.