Delivering evidence Led education resources. TREE’s first teaching packs on TES
Summary:
In 2025 the Trust for Records of Enslavement and Emancipation (TREE) published its first education packs on TES, one of the largest teaching resource platforms in the United Kingdom. The packs transform original Caribbean documents from the TREE archive into structured classroom material for Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and Sixth Form learners. This case study outlines the development, reach and educational significance of TREE’s TES resources.
The Challenge:
Many schools lack access to original primary sources on Britain’s history of enslavement. Textbook material is often limited, simplified or decades out of date. Teachers regularly express uncertainty about where to find reliable documents or how to introduce sensitive histories in a factual and age appropriate way.
TREE recognised a gap for resources that:
Are grounded in authentic primary documents
Provide clear historical context
Support teachers with handling difficult subjects
Are accessible without specialist training
TES was identified as the most effective platform for wide distribution.
TREE’s Role:
TREE designed and produced classroom ready education packs built directly from its original artefacts. Each resource includes:
High quality reproductions of nineteenth century documents
Simplified transcripts for younger learners
Full transcripts for teachers and advanced students
Discussion prompts, critical thinking tasks and guided questions
Context notes linking the document to broader themes in British history
Clear definitions of key terms aligned with TREE’s Words Matter framework
The initial packs published on TES include:
The Cardiff Plantation Appraisal (1814)
The Culloden Estate Inventory (1817)
Caribbean newspapers from St Lucia, Grenada and Jamaica (1835 to 1842)
All materials were produced in house by Matt, Verity and Sunday Johnston, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
The Evidence:
Each pack is supported directly by TREE’s original archive, which contains:
Estate appraisals from Jamaica and Tobago
Early emancipation newspapers from St Lucia and Jamaica
Correspondence and legal records connected to plantation management
These documents provide learners with rare access to the everyday workings of enslavement and early freedom.
Outcomes and Impact:
TREE’s TES resources achieved immediate engagement:
Positive feedback from teachers seeking primary sources for lessons
Engagement from home educators, marking TREE’s expansion beyond formal school settings
Use of TREE’s terminology guidance within lesson planning
The TES packs strengthen TREE’s reach into classrooms and demonstrate its capacity to create trusted educational material grounded in original evidence.
Next Steps:
TREE will expand its TES offering throughout 2026 by releasing new packs that connect directly to the Ledger of Lives publication and the Words Matter campaign. Schools, teachers and home educators are invited to contact TREE for collaboration or bespoke resource development.
For me info on learning resources, please visit https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/TREEFoundation
