Last week, Year 4 enjoyed an immersive experience exploring what life was like for a Victorian child. We stepped back in time and entered a traditional Victorian classroom to learn the three R’s: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. The children practised their neat, joined-up handwriting on slate board, using only their right hand, and focused on maintaining perfect posture throughout.

They then took part in sewing and knitting activities, similar to what girls would have learned in Victorian times, and examined a range of artefacts to deepen their understanding of life in the past.

In the second half of the morning, the children discovered what Victorian pupils did for fun, trying traditional games such as pick-up sticks, solitaire, dominoes, Happy Families, zoetropes, Consequences, spinning tops, yo-yos and cup and ball. There was plenty of laughter and curiosity as they compared these games to the toys they enjoy today.

It was a brilliant, hands-on experience that truly brought history to life.