The Dawn of Affluence: British Living Standards 1900-1960
The University of Sussex is funding a Teacher Scholar Scheme, delivered in partnership with The National Archives. During the autumn term of 2012, eight teachers from schools across the UK will have the opportunity to learn about the transition from poverty to affluence in Britain during the 20th century. Average living standards increased by about eight-fold in this period. The teachers will explore how and why living standards increased and what this meant for the experience of ordinary households.
The teachers will carry out their own research into living standards and work towards the creation of original learning resources. This will be based on the archival collections held by The National Archives and findings of researchers at the University of Sussex. Following approval by an editorial board, these resources will be published on The National Archives' website. Take a look at what a similar scheme, the Transatlantic Teacher's Project, achieved last year.
The teachers will attend a two-day workshop at The National Archives 12-13 October 2012, run by historians and economists from the University of Sussex and record specialists from The National Archives.
The teachers will carry out further collaborative work on a study tour of Liverpool and Manchester, 26-27 October 2012. Preserved streets and houses displaying 20th century features will be visited as well as record collections and museums, allowing the teachers to explore further questions about everyday life for working families.
All of the participants' expenses for the course will be paid, including travel and accommodation for the seminar days and the summer study tour, as well as the cost of a supply teacher to cover up to two days of teaching, for 12 and 26 October 2012.
Applications are now open. Please read the guidance and fill in the application form, returning it to education@nationalarchives.gov.uk by 19:00 on Friday 27 July 2012.
Programme activities
- Introductory meeting for all teachers delivered via the virtual classroom, beginning 10 September 2012 (outside school hours)
- Participation in a virtual learning environment, to work with and get to know the other teachers working on the programme
- Four lectures, delivered via the virtual classroom or as webcasts. These will be made available to participants during September and saved online for use later during the scheme
- A two-day workshop on Friday 12 October and Saturday 13 October at The National Archives, led by Ben Walsh, history education trainer and author, history and economics academics from the University of Sussex, and The National Archives' education team. Teachers will be introduced to the research undertaken by the University of Sussex on living standards and will work with original documents, reflecting on how to design suitable classroom activities for their students
- Teachers will develop their own teaching resources in October and November
- A study tour of Liverpool and Manchester with Ben Walsh, Sussex University and The National Archives' staff on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October 2012
- Resources will be submitted to the editorial board by Monday 3 December
Application information
Application form (DOC, 0.04Mb)
Guidance for applicants (DOC, 0.00Mb)
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