Target age range: Key Stage 3

Teaching of the Victorian period often focuses on the early period of industrialisation, not giving students a well-rounded understanding of the entire period. Similarly, focus is often on the development of industrial works specifically, rather than all work during this period, with areas such as service work often missing. These resources seek to fill in such gaps in student knowledge, as well as to stress the dangers of work outside of industrial jobs and the importance of the railways to Britain at this time. The importance of sourcework throughout these resources ensures that students develop their evidential thinking, as well as improving understanding of how historians use these sources – an understanding that is often absent.

This resource was written by Caitlyn Palmer, a history teacher in Yorkshire.

Particular thanks to The Postal Museum and The National Archives for their permission to reproduce images and sources in this resource.

Every effort has been made to trace all image copyright holders for these resources, although occasionally it has not been possible. Please contact Maheema Chanrai at maheema.chanrai@history.org.uk with any queries regarding image use or copyright.