What to expect from an education visit to The National Archives
Our in-person workshops and events offer a unique learning experience, giving children the chance to investigate and handle original documents from across time.
Education session
Black Victorians
This interactive session, delivered either online or at The National Archives, explores how much archival documents can reveal about the lives of Black people in Victorian Britain.
- Age ranges
- Key stage 2 (Ages 7–11)
- Key stage 3 (Ages 11–14)
- Date
- All year
- Locations
- At The National Archives, Online
About this image
Samuel Coleridge Taylor. Catalogue reference: COPY 1/451
About this session
Time period
- Industrial revolution (1750–1901)
Theme
- Black, Asian and global majority history
The in-person version of this workshop at The National Archives
The two-hour workshop is led by an experienced history educator in an inspiring learning space at The National Archives in Kew.
In this onsite workshop students will use a range of different sources, including census records and photographs, to learn about the diverse lives of six Black individuals who lived in Britain in the Victorian era. Pupils investigate what documents can tell us about their lives, but also reflect on the questions they leave unanswered, and consider how these can act as a catalyst for further study. The session will explore themes of migration and identity and allow students to develop their historical enquiry skills by delving into an exciting and growing area of historical research.
We accommodate group sizes of 8 to 35 students. All groups must be accompanied by at least two adults.
The live online version of this workshop
The live one-hour online version is led by an experienced history educator, you only need a microphone, large screen and webcam to take part. Interactive activities encourage students to discuss their ideas and work in groups using high-quality materials provided in advance by the Education team.
Students will use a range of different sources, including census records and photographs, to learn about the diverse lives of four Black individuals who lived in Britain in the Victorian era. Pupils investigate what documents can tell us about their lives, but also reflect on the questions they leave unanswered, and consider how these can act as a catalyst for further study.
The session will explore themes of migration and identity and allow students to develop their historical enquiry skills by delving into an exciting and growing area of historical research.
Note we will adapt the timing of the workshop to fit with your lesson times
What to expect from a National Archives online education workshop
Too far to bring your students to Kew? Join us for a free live online workshop and we’ll bring the archives to you!
Contact us
If you need any help with your booking, please get in touch.
- Telephone
- 0203 908 9162
- educationbookings@nationalarchives.gov.uk
Connections to the curriculum
Victorians, Black History, Migration, British Empire
Key details
- Locations
-
- At The National Archives
- Online
- Date
- All year
- Price
- Free
- Duration
-
- At The National Archives: 2 hours
- Online: 1 hour
- Age ranges
- Key stage 2 (Ages 7–11)
- Key stage 3 (Ages 11–14)
More education sessions
-
Education session
The Mangrove Nine
This session for key stages 3 and 4 looks at how much documents from The National Archives reveal about the Mangrove Nine – a key case in UK Black civil rights.
-
Education session
Migrants to Britain
This session for key stage 4 poses the question: What can government documents reveal about the experience of Indian seafarers in the early 20th century?
-
Education session
Civil rights and racial segregation
This session for key stage 5 students looks at the response to racial segregation in the United States.