LEARNING was brought to life as children lived by Victorian standards and rules for the day.

Pupils at Little Parndon Primary Academy, in Harlow, were taken back in time as they sampled the life of a Victorian child.

Year 6 were immersed in Victorian times, by – 

• bowing and curtsying on arrival to class
• learning by candlelight
• putting technology to one side to learn at the blackboard
• having posture checks throughout the day
• paying a “penny” for their education
• standing each time an adult entered the room
• using black paper and chalk instead of pencils and exercise books

Children learnt about Queen Victoria and her life, practised copperplate handwriting, explored Victorian slang words and currency and played traditional games such as hide and seek and hopscotch.

In keeping with the time, boys completed a manual task by building structures while the girls baked and took eloquence lessons.

They also learnt about the strict nature of Victorian schools and how punishment was to wear a dunce’s hat and stand against a wall.

Teacher Paige Wakelin said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed their day and were able to immerse themselves into the typical Victorian child’s school-day experience. 

It really brought it to life for them and allowed them to explore some new skills not typically covered in the primary curriculum. 

“You could see their eagerness to get involved.”

Headteacher Mark Evans said: “These sorts of lessons are very important to us and how we deliver our curriculum at Little Parndon. 

“While we want the children to cover the curriculum objectives, we want them to do it in a fun way and to learn life-long skills as they do it. 

“This was an amazing experience for the children. They were so focused and engaged and it brought their learning to life.”