This workshop is based on resources in the British Empire exhibition. It is designed as an extension activity for gifted and talented pupils with activities designed to help pupils reach the higher National Curriculum levels. The workshop aims to develop the students' knowledge of the British Empire, as well as help them to develop important skills such as the use of sources and being able to analyse, explain and evaluate different historical interpretations.
During the workshop, students use a variety of different documents about the British Empire, including posters from the Empire Marketing Board, letters, pictures and government reports. They will use these documents to find out more about the British Empire, and the activities also place a heavy emphasis on considering the background and limitations of the documents. Students will then look at the different interpretations of two famous historians, Simon Schama and Niall Ferguson, who have different views on whether the British Empire was a force for good or not. Students will use the different documents to find evidence that can be used to support the two different interpretations and we will then consider how and why the historians may have different views.
To draw the workshop to a close, students will use what they have found out to summarise their own view on the British Empire. This will give them practice at using evidence to support their answers as they will be selecting, organising and deploying relevant information to produce a well-structured explanation.
Session options
This session can be delivered as a
Workshop
