The requirement to teach about the British Empire at Key Stage 3 presents us with a range of challenges. We need to make the topic relevant and interesting. We also need to be balanced in our approach, given the empire-bashing that has surrounded the 160th anniversary of the Indian Mutiny (or should I say First War of Independence?) and the bicentenary of the abolition of Britain’s involvement in the Transatlantic Slave trade.
We also need to be aware of the sensitivities of teaching this topic in a multicultural society. But you know all this! What you want are some interesting approaches. Cue outstanding lessons…
The over-arching enquiry question is: What can we learn about the British Empire from a study of India? The topic covers four centuries from the birth of the East India company to Indian independence. The spine of approach is chronological with a series of cameos in sequence. But the real strength of the unit is the way themes are pulled out from each of the motivating key questions/ Subscribers can request a copy to be emailed to them.
