Enquiry question: How far did design flaws, construction choices and leadership decisions contribute to the sinking of the Titanic?

Lesson focus: Students scrutinise the engineering and construction of the ship, investigate pressures placed on the crew by the White Star Line, and evaluate Captain Smith’s responsibility. Through source analysis, structured peer discussion and evidence‑weighing tasks, students begin forming a judgement about who should bear the blame.

Students will:

• Scrutinise the design of the watertight bulkheads.
• Investigate hull construction and the quality of materials used.
• Analyse pressures placed on the crew by the White Star Line.
• Evaluate Captain Smith’s responsibility in the disaster.

• In‑lesson tasks analysing diagrams, construction reports and testimony
• Peer tasks including paired evaluation, evidence ranking and short verbal justifications
• Worksheet where students assign responsibility percentages to different parties based on provided evidence
• Analytical outcome: students justify which design or leadership factor they believe was most significant

A focused, analytical investigation that helps students move from narrative understanding to evaluative thinking. Clear evidence sets, structured peer talk and a responsibility‑ranking worksheet make this lesson ideal preparation for the final enquiry judgement.