Finding out about homes of the poor in Industrial cities

Learning Objectives: To be able to use a source for ... All to answer questions about the past Most to identify sources that are useful for answering a question about the past Some to use sources to reach and support a conclusion

Starter: Can you remember the difference between Croydon in 1750 and 1900?

Croydon 1750 - 1900

Croydons population increased Croydon had great transport links Croydon had a canal and the very first public railway Croydon had lots of jobs in factories Croydon is useful because it is in between London and Brighton 1) Why do you think Croydons population increased so much during the Industrial Revolution?

The growth of Croydon

The period between 1750 and 1900 was one of enormous growth in both industry and population. As new factories were set up, so houses, shops and inns had to be built for the workers who flocked to the towns hoping to find jobs. Thousands of new houses were built in a very short time, without any rules on planning or quality.

2) What sorts of problems do you think there were in such rapidly built towns?

Croydon 1750 - 1900

Croydons poor living in Old Town, lived in terrible conditions. It was damp There were no sewers People caught dreadful diseases Many people lived on the streets The water was not clean People were starving.

Croydon 1750 - 1900

When the Public Health Act was passed in 1848 Croydon was one of the first towns to set up its own Board of Health. The Board improved the water supply by building a pumping station, and laying pipes. It also built sewers. By the 1890s Croydon was said to be "the healthiest among the large towns in the kingdom".

Where is this local water tower?

The Workhouse
The job of looking after the poor fell to the Croydon Union which was established in 1836. People would be given a bed and food in return for hard work. Croydon's first workhouse was built in Duppas Hill in the 1720s. In 1865, it was replaced by a new one at Queens Road, Thornton Heath.

Reading Race!
Look at the your source What can they tell us about living conditions for the poor in industrial towns? On the sheet to describe each source then pass to the desk behind you

I can use sources of information to help me reach and support a conclusion.

I can identify the sources that are useful for answering a question I can use more than 1 source to produce a structured answer.

Health Inspectors Report

Pretend you are on Croydons board of health Report on the living conditions of the poor. What changes would you suggest and why?

Health Inspectors report

Having visited the inner-city slums of , I must now report on the appalling conditions I found there. Firstly, the rooms Secondly, the sanitation . Thirdly, the health of the occupants I should like to make the following recommendations in order to improve conditions for these pitiful people .

How do you feel about your learning today?

Learning Outcomes: Are you able use evidence to decide how the poor lived in the Industrial towns?
What went well today?
What would you like to do better next time?

Victorian Homes
Draw a picture of a poor home either inside or out. Colour in Imagine you are an estate agent and write details about it underneath to try and sell the house

House for rent 10 shillings a room Running water from pump

Privy to share with entire street

Rubbish in street No garden Smoke and pollution In groups of 4 make up a role play as an Estate agent and family looking to rent a room in the Industrial era.