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Education session

Whitechapel

In this workshop, available online or at The National Archives, students investigate what made Whitechapel in 1888 an area where policing was challenging.

Age ranges
Key stage 3 (Ages 11–14)
Key stage 4 (Ages 14–16)
Date
All year
Locations
At The National Archives, Online
About this image

Photograph of a family in Whitechapel. Catalogue reference: PRO 30/69/1663

About this session

Time period

  • Industrial revolution (1750–1901)

Themes

  • Crime and punishment
  • Family, community and everyday life
  • Local history

What to expect in the session at The National Archives

In the onsite workshop students investigate what made Whitechapel in 1888 an area where policing was challenging. Themes such as poverty, immigration, women’s lives and housing are explored. This session develops skills in assessing a source’s usefulness for a particular historical enquiry.

The two-hour workshop is led by an experienced history educator in an inspiring learning space at The National Archives in Kew. Students handle a range of original documents including census records, maps and Metropolitan Police records

What to expect in the online session

In the online workshop in your classroom students will investigate what Whitechapel was like in 1888 by exploring a range of documents including a photograph, the census and register for a homeless shelter. This session develops skills in assessing a source’s usefulness for a particular historical enquiry.

The one-hour online session in your classroom 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.

Note: we will adapt the timing of the workshop to fit with your lesson times.

Contact us

If you need any support with your booking, please get in touch.

Telephone
0203 908 9162
Email
educationbookings@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Connections to the curriculum

  • Edexcel GCSE History (9-1) Crime and Punishment Through Time
  • OCR GCSE History B (9–1) Schools History Project: Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to present

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 3 (Ages 11–14)
Key stage 4 (Ages 14–16)

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