Children at Locks Heath Infant School scrubbed dirty dishcloths, rinsed them and hung them out to dry to mimic Victorian farmyard work.
Bradley Smith, five, wears a dunce hat and is shown mathematics by strict teacher Siobhan Silk
The children dressed in traditional Victorian clothes for the day – boys as chimney sweeps and girls as milk maids – and learned as the children of the era did.
They practised Maths, writing and did observational drawings, and then marched to the playground to roll hoops in a Victorian PE lesson.
During the mental arithmetic lesson the pupils silently drew on chalkboards – and wouldn’t dare make a sound or else they’d have to wear the dunce hat.
The Victorian taster day at the school in Warsash Road brought the era back to life to mark the end of the year group’s studies.
It added to what they had learned about the roles of Victorian men and women as well as a visit to Manor Farm Country Park in Bursledon.
Hoop rolling
The staff played up to the strict teacher characters too, including teacher Siobhan Silk who sternly told the children “March boy! March Girl!” as she led them between the Victorian lessons.
Six-year-old Hermione Smith found it funny that the teachers’ were acting very strict – particularly when head teacher Catherine Butcher came to check the children were working hard after hearing the pupils’ giggling.
“I was trying not to laugh,” said Hermione. “She came in to check if we were sitting nicely and being quiet because we were making a lot of noise. It was funny.
“The boys would work on the farm and go to school and the girls would do knitting. I wouldn’t want to be in the Victorian times because you’d have to work very hard all day!”
Elliott Bowden, six added: “I was shaking because the teacher was very strict. I was scared out of my pants. I’m glad I’m not in the Victorian days.”
Scrubbing the clothes clean
Toby Southwell, six, said he really enjoyed the different jobs they had to do and added: “I’d like to be a Victorian. I liked working really hard.”
Mrs Silk, the year group leader, said: “We’ve been doing a bit about washing but mainly they’ve learned about the school classroom because they can compare it.
“They’ve been doing their own research at home, looking on the Internet and in books. The parents have really been supportive and sent them in all dressed up.
“The children got into role brilliantly. They don’t mind wearing the dunce’s hat or sitting in silence and brought to life what they learned from their research.”
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