‘On the Record’ workshop helps students think critically about history, law and society

Last week, Capital City College (CCC) students were challenged to think differently about law and society, thanks to a thought-provoking workshop run by On the Record, a non-profit organisation that specialises in oral history, co-production and creative media.

Held over two days at our Angel campus on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 October, the sessions were delivered during a tutorial session to A level students studying mixed subjects, to help them learn how old laws still affect life today.

Led by Tania from On the Record, the sessions helped students learn about the Vagrancy Act of 1824, a law introduced to criminalise homelessness and begging. Through interactive activities and guided discussion, students looked at how the legacy of this Act can still be seen in modern policing practices, like Stop and Search powers and Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Students looked closely at images, talked about what they saw, and worked together to understand how unfair treatment in the past still affects people today. The sessions encouraged critical thinking and conversation.

CCC Enrichment officer Saranya Jeyarajah said: “I really enjoyed how interactive the workshop was. Learners stayed fully engaged throughout, which made the experience much more meaningful. By the end, I felt I had gained a much clearer insight into how historical events and laws continue to shape the world we live in today.”

Enrichment officer Fiona Small added: “The workshop was truly eye-opening and very informative. It shed light on important issues that are often overlooked and sparked valuable conversations among the learners.”

Enrichment officer Aleena Sharif said: “The workshop was well-rounded and thoughtfully designed. It created a safe space for students to think critically and ask questions, which I believe really boosted their confidence in analysing and interpreting information.”

At the end of the workshop, students shared their ideas on a whiteboard. This showed how much they had learned, from looking at pictures to understanding how laws affect people’s lives. Workshops like this help students ask questions, think for themselves and understand the world better.

Want to learn more about the connections between law, history and society? Why not have a look at the courses we offer? From applied science, hair and beauty, to history and English literature and more, we have lots of courses to choose from.

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