Farlington School’s Prep 6 travelled back in time to 1852 to experience a day in a typical Victorian schoolroom. The pupils, aged ten and eleven, spent the day in Victorian dress and a classroom transformed into the bland Victorian style, discovering what it was like to be a Victorian school child.

Miss Welsh and Mr Absalom ruled the class with rods of iron (or should we say bamboo!) The children were expected to sit through lessons in silence and only speak when spoken to. They covered subjects such as British History, by chanting dates; maths with pounds, shillings, pennies and farthings and how to write perfect copperplate handwriting. They read from a Victorian reading book, commenting on the morals gained from them and they learnt a poem to recite at the end of the day. Lunch consisted of pasties, sandwiches, fruit and biscuits and at break they were able to roll hoops, skip together and play a game of marbles or hopscotch.

This hands-on historical experience fits into the history curriculum which is currently focusing on the Victorian era. Pupils learn about Victorian domestic life, the contrasting lifestyles of the rich and poor, the growth of urbanisation and the achievements of the era. This will be explored further when Prep 6 goes on their residential trip to the Isle of Wight at the end of the summer term and visits Osborne House.