Year 2 The Great Fire of London Assembly

It was a pleasure to watch the Year 2 pupils present their assembly to families and peers, retelling the events of the Great Fire of 1666. Dressed in period costume, they transported the audience back to the 17th century.

The scene is set, King Charles II is the monarch and the plague had been raging in London for two years following a long, hot summer. The pupils set the scene vividly, explaining how the dry conditions and crowded streets made the city vulnerable, with some even predicting a fire.

The baker stepped forward, wringing his hands and protesting his innocence, as the crowd gathered to apportion blame. Through lively dialogue, the pupils showed the uncertainty and confusion of the time, while also highlighting the poor conditions in the city, with wooden houses, thatched roofs, and narrow, overcrowded streets.

They recreated the moment the fire began on the night of 2nd September in Thomas Farriner’s bakery on Pudding Lane. With one spark and a strong east wind, the flames spread rapidly. The pupils brought this to life brilliantly, showing the panic as people fled and the Mayor’s hesitation, which allowed the fire to continue spreading.

The turning point came when the King took control, ordering firebreaks to be created. As the wind changed direction, the flames finally began to subside. The pupils also conveyed the devastating impact of the fire, including the destruction of homes, churches, and landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, leaving thousands homeless.

Through dialogue, song, and dance, the pupils brought these events to life, also showing how London was rebuilt using brick and stone, with wider streets, including the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral by Christopher Wren. They even included the account of Samuel Pepys, who famously recorded the events and buried his valuables for safekeeping.

The pupils thanked the audience for attending and closed with the school prayer. It was a confident and engaging performance, and they should be very proud of their efforts. Mrs Stanley praised their confidence and enthusiastic singing, while Mrs Hogarth and Mrs Zylstra were delighted with how well the pupils delivered their lines and created such a memorable assembly.