History Mysteries: Rushton and Reform

Date: 1st December 2025  

Time: Video shown at 1:30pm, live-streamed Q&A at 1:50pm 

Duration: 35 minutes if watching both the video and Q&A; 15 minutes if only joining for Q&A.   

Suitability: Key Stage Three (Year 7-9)  

To mark this Disability History Month, The National Archives brings to you the second instalment of its online broadcast event: History Mysteries!  

Join us as we explore how education for blind and visually impaired children has changed over time. Our story begins with the establishment of the Liverpool School for the ‘Indigent’ Blind’ in 1791 by the educational reformer and abolitionist, Edward Rushton. In a pre-recorded video, we chat with a record specialist from The National Archives, visit one of the original sites of the Liverpool School, and even get our hands on some intriguing objects from the Museum of Liverpool’s collections! Have we got you curious? Submit questions and join us for a live-streamed Q&A with record specialist, Jessamy Carlson. We look forward to seeing you there, history detectives! 

How does it work? A pre-recorded twenty-minute video will be released to schools on Monday 24th November. You can watch this during a Disability History Month assembly, history lesson, PSHE class or form time – whenever suits you!  

Students have a week to think about and submit questions via Slido about education for the blind and visually impaired and The National Archives’ disability and education records.   

Finally, we will come back together for a livestreamed Q&A with record specialist, Jessamy Carlson at 1:50pm on Monday 1st December. Feel free to join at 1:30pm to watch the pre-recorded video with the rest of the country if preferred!  

You only need a large screen and speaker to take part. Book one ticket per school. The event link can be used for multiple classes.    

Book your free space now.