Ealing in a Global World

How is our local community connected to the Global world? This is the key question that Year 6s are exploring in their summer term geography unit. Last week, to help them find some answers to the questions, they went out on a field trip, exploring the local high street in Ealing to see what evidence they could find of international trade, commerce and influence.

In their fieldwork the pupils focused on collecting data about the types of the shops in Ealing and the comparative Fair Trade products available in local supermarkets.

“We noticed that today there are maybe 30 different countries represented in the types of food and eating places.”

Pupils were able to compare these findings to what they had already learned about Ealing in last term’s local history study:

“In World War 2 there would be ration coupon signs outside shops and few international shops. From my research they were: greengrocers, butchers, newsagents, toys, bread, sweets, DIY and also sewing shops.”

Pupils were then able to connect the results of their field work to what they knew about world events and immigration patterns.

“I think due to larger scale migration after World War 2 – largely to help rebuild Britain – more foods from other countries came to the town expanding the global look of Ealing. My favourite is the ‘Turtle Bay’ with plantain, rice and jerk chicken.”

It is amazing how thought provoking a walk down the local high street can be!