Year 6 Victorian Day
The children and teachers had a fantastic day experiencing life in a Victorian school. Everyone made a great effort to look as Victorian as possible, and some children even arrived with 'dirt' on their faces to complete the authentic look!
Throughout the day, the children took part in lessons just as Victorian pupils would have done. They practised English grammar and handwriting, chanted maths facts and completed calculations, wrote lines, and searched for definitions in dictionaries. The experience of having strict, authoritarian teachers was very different from the supportive and interactive learning environment they are accustomed to today. It gave the children a valuable insight into what school life was like during the Victorian era.
Lessons were followed by a traditional Victorian-style ‘lunch’ of thick porridge. For many children, this was their very first time tasting porridge and, for some, it confirmed that they were very glad not to have lived during the Victorian era and eaten it every day!
The day ended with the children completing a range of repetitive and mundane tasks, such as sorting buttons, counters and crayons, as well as measuring and cutting materials. These activities helped them to understand the kinds of work and responsibilities that Victorian children were often expected to undertake. It is safe to say that, by the end of the day, the children were very pleased that their Victorian experience had come to an end and that they could return to their normal lives. Despite this, they thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to step back in time and gain a fascinating insight into Victorian school life.