Victorian School and Work in Preston
Introduction
This learning journey looks at the working and school lives of Victorian children and uses contemporary documents, objects, paintings and photographs to encourage historical enquiry, thinking skills and group collaboration. Many of the questions could prompt cross curricular work.
Child Labour in the Victorian Era:
Most Victorians had a very different attitude towards child labour
than we do today. Sending young children out to work was an
economic necessity for most families, and was taken for granted by
parents and children. Children would work long hours in often
unpleasant or dangerous conditions. They did not earn much, but
even a few pennies would be enough to buy food for the family.
Some Victorians campaigned to improve the conditions children
worked under, which led to a reduction in their working hours and
the introduction of elementary education. Such campaigners
included Lord Shaftesbury and Sir Robert Peel.
Curriculum links:
QCA History unit 11 - What was it like for children living in Victorian Britain?
Learning outcomes:
To ask and find answers to questions and record relevant information
To collect information from a range of sources and draw conclusions about the Victorian period
To understand that ways of life differed greatly across Victorian society
Learning article provided by:
Harris Museum & Art Gallery |
Page Comments
