Curriculum Links

Key Stage 2

History

  • A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 – Victorian Ideals.
  • A local history study: A study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality.

Key Stage 3

History

  • Ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901.
  • Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day.
  • A local history study.

Suggested research questions

Key Stage 2

  • What beliefs and traditions were important to the Victorians?
  • Who worked during Victorian times? How did this change throughout the era?
  • Which jobs were viewed to be higher class during the Victorian era? Has that changed over time?
  • What shapes were common on Victorian coffin furniture? Why do you think this is?

Key Stage 3

  • What beliefs and traditions were important to the Victorians? How are they similar or different to your own?
  • How did Victorians view social classes? Has our view on social classes or ‘placing oneself above one’s station’ changed over time?
  • Why do you think that there are so few records from the Victorian era at Newman Brothers?
  • How did the Coffin Furniture Trade in Birmingham get drawn into organised crime and strike action in the late 1800s?
  • What symbols were common during the Victorian era? What symbols are popular now? Are there any that are the same?

Suggested Activities

  • Write a portal story about a child finding themselves in Victorian England.
  • Create an updated catalogue for Newman Brothers, what shapes and images would you include?
  • Write a poem describing a Victorian Funeral. What would you see, hear, feel, smell?
  • Write a non-chronological report about an aspect of Victorian life; funerals, social classes or work conditions.

Links & Downloadable Resources

Film Resources