Heritage and culture

Victorian Crime and Punishment

Old Shire Hall Courts and Dungeon, Northgate Street, Warwick

History, English, Citizenship

Fairness, responsibility, consequence

A truly immersive experience for Key Stage 2 children to tread in the footsteps of the thousands of accused who have passed through the courts and gaol of Old Shire Hall. A tour of the thought provoking courts, cells and dungeons allow for a direct comparison of conditions of prisoners held in from 1766 to modern day.

Children will then travel back in time to 1854 and step in to the ‘real life’ trial of local man George Day and the case of the stolen pig, a case taken directly from the court records.
This workshop includes pre-visit activities to prepare the children for their day in court. For a more enjoyable visit it is important these activities are carried out.

This workshop can be paired with History Detectives: Crime and Punishment where children will be able to see original documents, including those linked to the case of George Day.

How will this benefit your class?

• We will inspire curiosity, encourage the creative learner, foster enquiry led learning, create a love and appreciation of heritage, enable critical thinking and support decision making.
  How does this support your teaching?

History Key Skills and understanding

• knowledge of significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
• a study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality
• understanding of historical concepts such as continuity and change
• understanding of the methods of historical enquiry
• understanding of how our knowledge of the past comes from a range of sources

English key skills and understanding

• participate in discussions presentations, performances, role play, improvisations and debates
• discussing word meanings, linking new meanings to those already known

Citizenship key skills and understanding

• to recognise what they like and dislike, what is fair and unfair, and what is right and wrong
• why and how rules and laws are made and enforced, why different rules are needed in different situations and how to take part in making and changing rules
• to think about the lives of people living in other places and times
• that differences between people arise from a number of factors

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