Crime and Punishment

Journey through Britain’s fascinating history of crime and punishment, from Roman justice and Tudor laws to Victorian prisons and punishment today.

Crime and Punishment KS2 FAQs

What age group is this Crime and Punishment scheme suitable for?

This Crime and Punishment KS2 scheme is designed for Years 5 and 6. It provides a chronological study of crime and punishment from Roman Britain through to the present day, making it ideal for upper KS2 History.

What periods of history are covered in the Crime and Punishment KS2 lessons?

The scheme explores crime and punishment across a wide range of historical periods, including Roman Britain, the Anglo-Saxon and Viking period, medieval and Tudor Britain, the early modern period, Victorian Britain and the modern day.

What will children learn about Roman crime and punishment?

The Roman crime and punishment KS2 lesson explores the Roman judicial system, including how crimes were detected, how accused criminals were tried and the punishments used for different offences. Children also place Roman Britain within the wider crime and punishment timeline.

Does the scheme cover Anglo-Saxon crime and punishment?

Yes. Children investigate Anglo-Saxon crime and punishment, as well as Viking approaches to law and justice. They explore concepts such as weregild and learn about the different ways crimes could be punished during this period.

What will children learn about medieval and Tudor crime and punishment?

Children explore medieval and Tudor crime and punishment, including how criminals were caught, the different courts used and punishments for crimes such as theft, treason, murder and heresy. They also consider how developments such as Forest Law and the closing of the monasteries affected crime.

Is Victorian crime and punishment covered?

Yes. The Victorian crime and punishment KS2 lesson explores how industrialisation and other social changes affected crime, alongside developments in crime detection and punishment. Children investigate transportation and use an extract from Oliver Twist to explore child criminality.

Does the scheme explore how crime and punishment changed over time?

Yes. Understanding change and continuity is central to the scheme. Children build a chronological picture of crime and punishment from Roman Britain to the 21st century, comparing crimes, methods of detection and different forms of punishment across the periods they study.

Does the scheme cover modern-day crime and punishment?

Yes. The final lesson explores crime and punishment in the 20th and 21st centuries. Children compare the modern day with earlier periods and consider how and why crime prevention, detection and punishment have changed.

What historical skills will children develop?

Children develop their chronological understanding, use historical sources, compare different periods, identify change and continuity, explore causes and consequences, and use evidence to support historical judgements. They are encouraged to ask questions about why crimes and punishments changed and what these changes reveal about society.

What is included in the Crime and Punishment KS2 scheme?

The complete seven-lesson scheme includes detailed lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated activities for adaptive teaching, printable resources and a range of supporting resources. It also includes a Crime and Punishment Knowledge Organiser and an end-of-unit quiz to help children consolidate their learning.