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DODGING THE LAW: THE CASE OF THE ARTFUL DODGER
LOCATION: LONDON
Students will learn all about Victorian life, crime and punishment, and enact a mock trial in a real, working court room. Teachers will also leave with a post-visit resource where students will debate the future of capital punishment in the Victorian era.
Through the day, the life and crimes of the Artful Dodger (aka Jack Dawson) will be brought to life as students explore Dickens’s former home and put Dodger on trial for pick pocketing. With Dawson accused of stealing a silver snuff box, students will need to use the historical information and the evidence provided at trial to establish the fate of the Artful Dodger.
From seeing Marshalsea prison’s grille and touching objects from the past to roleplaying in a real court room, students will be immersed in the Victorian judicial system and develop a deeper understanding of why the poor so often turned to petty crimes life theft to survive.
The cross-site visit runs from 10am – 3pm.
Groups will need to organise their own travel between the two venues. Venues are approximately a 20-minute walk apart.
Curriculum Links: English, History, Citizenship
This activity is run in partnership with Charles Dickens Museum
| Suitable for | Key Stage 3 & 4 |
| Location | Charles Dickens Museum and the Royal Courts of Justice |
| Key skills enhanced include | Historical context, enquiry skills, public speaking, critical thinking and analysis |
| Duration | 5 hours (10am-3pm) |
| Number of students | Maximum 30 pupils |
| Cost | £370 for groups of 20 or less |
| Booking | Email Charles Dickens Museum at education@dickensmuseum.com |
