Did the Factory Act of 1833 really improve conditions for factory workers? In this engaging KS3 history enquiry, pupils investigate the problems faced by workers in the factories of Industrial Britain and assess how far the 1833 Factory Act succeeded in addressing them. After considering what the legislation was intended to change, pupils use a range of historical evidence to investigate what happened in practice. The lesson develops pupils’ understanding of change and continuity, causation and the use of evidence, while encouraging them to reach their own supported judgement about the effectiveness of factory reform.
This lesson starts with a review of problems for factory workers in the 1830s before looking at the legislation. Were all abuses dealt with by the Act? The pupils then have to set about raising and answering questions using a range of resources.
Learning objectives
- pupils consolidate their understanding of the main problems
