A complete KS3 History enquiry exploring one of the most important and contested questions in British and global history: Was the British Empire a force for good?

Rather than presenting the British Empire through a simple positive or negative narrative, this enquiry encourages students to examine different experiences of empire, interrogate evidence and reach their own supported conclusions.

Across the enquiry, students investigate how and why the British Empire expanded, how colonial rule affected different societies, and why its legacy remains debated today. Students encounter a range of perspectives and case studies, considering themes including trade, migration, exploitation, resistance, violence, cultural change and the experiences of Indigenous peoples.

A strong emphasis is placed on historical evidence and critical thinking. Students work with written and visual sources, consider provenance and perspective, compare conflicting interpretations and continually revisit the overarching enquiry question as their knowledge develops.

The enquiry culminates in a British Empire trial, in which students act as a jury and use the evidence they have accumulated throughout the unit to reach and justify their final verdict.

The enquiry includes:
A complete sequence of ready-to-teach KS3 History lessons
An overarching enquiry examining the impact and legacy of the British Empire
The origins, expansion and scale of the Empire
A range of experiences and perspectives from across the Empire
Colonialism, imperialism and Indigenous experiences
Trade, resources and economic exploitation
Resistance to British rule
Source analysis and interpretation activities
Opportunities to examine contrasting and conflicting evidence
Structured activities developing argument and judgement
Accessible guided-reading and student worksheets
Key vocabulary and glossary support
Regular opportunities for retrieval and consolidation
A culminating British Empire trial
Jury sheets and evidence trackers enabling students to build their judgement
A final verdict requiring students to reach an evidence-based conclusion