Overview
How did policing become the service we recognise today?
In this engaging KS2 history workshop, pupils discover how modern policing began during the Victorian period and explore how the role of the police has changed over nearly 200 years.
Through discussion, hands-on activities and historical objects, pupils investigate why the first police forces were created, what life was like for Victorian police officers and how new inventions transformed the way crimes were investigated. Along the way, they compare Victorian policing with the police service of today, discovering that while equipment and technology have changed, the core purpose of policing remains the same.
The experience is brought to life with a guided visit to the museum’s historic police cells, where pupils discover what happened after an arrest and how prisoners were cared for during the Victorian era.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, pupils will be able to:
- Understand why organised police forces were introduced.
- Describe the role of a Victorian police officer.
- Compare Victorian policing with modern policing.
- Explore how technology has changed policing over time.
- Develop historical understanding by comparing the past with the present.
Key Enquiry Questions
Throughout the workshop, pupils investigate questions such as:
- Why do we have police officers?
- How were Victorian police different from today’s officers?
- Could you have become a Victorian police officer?
- How has technology helped police solve crimes?
- What has stayed the same about policing over the last 200 years?
Workshop Activities
The Birth of Modern Policing
Pupils discover how organised policing developed in Britain and learn about the work of Sir Robert Peel, whose ideas helped shape the modern police service.
Together they explore why communities needed professional police officers and why people were initially unsure about this new service.
Victorian Police vs Modern Police
Using replica uniforms and equipment, pupils compare Victorian and modern police officers.
They investigate:
- Uniforms and protective equipment
- Police communication
- Everyday responsibilities
- Equipment carried by officers
- How the role has changed over time
Through discussion, pupils discover that while technology has transformed policing, many of its original principles remain the same today.
Could You Join the Victorian Police?
Pupils discover the surprisingly strict rules for becoming a Victorian police officer.
Using genuine recruitment criteria, they explore:
- Age and height requirements
- Education
- Physical fitness
- Good character
- Daily duties and working conditions
Children compare these expectations with modern policing and decide whether they would have qualified for the job.
Fingerprints and Forensic Science
Pupils investigate one of the greatest advances in policing by taking and comparing their own fingerprints.
They discover:
- Why every fingerprint is unique
- How fingerprints became evidence in criminal investigations
- How fingerprinting has developed from ink rollers to modern digital technology
This practical activity introduces pupils to one of the earliest forms of forensic science still used today.
Reflection
The workshop concludes with a discussion about how policing has evolved and why communities continue to rely on the police today.
Museum Experience
Following the workshop, pupils take part in a guided visit to the museum’s historic police cells.
During this session they will discover:
- What happened when someone was arrested during the Victorian period.
- The process of entering a police station and police cell.
- The important role of police matrons in caring for prisoners.
- Why Victorian police cells were kept clean and orderly.
- How evidence was gathered before the development of modern technology.
Exploring authentic Victorian police cells helps pupils understand what life was like for both police officers and prisoners during the nineteenth century.
Curriculum Links
This workshop supports learning across several areas of the KS2 curriculum, including:
History
- A study beyond 1066
- The development of policing in Britain
- Similarities and differences between past and present
- Historical enquiry
- Significant individuals, including Sir Robert Peel
PSHE & Citizenship
- Rules and responsibilities
- Community services
- Respect for others
- Keeping people safe
Science
- Observation
- Fingerprint patterns
- Evidence and identification
Skills Developed
Pupils will develop:
- Historical enquiry
- Observation
- Comparison and contrast
- Scientific observation
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork
- Decision making
Visit Information
This workshop forms part of a full museum learning day, running from 10:00am until 2:00pm.
During the day, groups rotate through a programme of activities consisting of:
- One 45-minute Victorian Policing workshop
- One 45-minute guided museum experience
- Two 45-minute self-guided museum exploration sessions
- One 45-minute lunch break
This varied programme combines facilitated learning with opportunities for independent exploration across the museum’s galleries.
Practical Information
Suitable for: KS2
Workshop duration: 45 minutes
Museum visit: Full learning day (10:00am–2:00pm)
Group size: Up to 35 pupils per group
Daily capacity: Up to three groups (approximately 105 pupils) can be accommodated each day, with groups rotating through the day’s activities.
Accessibility: We are committed to making our learning programme accessible to all learners. Please let us know about any access requirements when booking so we can adapt the session wherever possible.
Why Choose This Workshop?
Perfect for introducing pupils to the history of policing, this interactive workshop combines local history, practical activities and authentic museum collections to bring the Victorian police force to life.
Children compare Victorian and modern policing through real objects, replica uniforms and fingerprint investigation, while discovering how new technology transformed crime prevention and detection. A guided visit to the museum’s historic police cells completes the experience, helping pupils understand how policing has changed while recognising the enduring principles established nearly 200 years ago.
